Donald (Don) Hankins, age 86, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, August 24th, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 1, 2018 in the Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, located at 5701 Hwy 277 South, with burial to follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Daniel Hankins, Larry Gruza, Jason Willis, Jason Winkler, Donald Bugg and Scott Senter will be serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 11am to 1pm, prior to the service.
He was born, July 9th, 1932 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Earl and Ida Hankins. He grew up in Pine Bluff and later moved to South Bend, Indiana where he met and later married the love of his life, Helen Phillips. Don and Helen were married for 51 years.
Don served in the US Navy for 4 years and he loved to talk about the very fond memories of this time in his life.
He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering ~ however for most of his adult life, Don enjoyed working for himself in real estate. He earned his CCIM certification (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and traveled around the country and taught CCIM courses as well. He was a brilliant man and instilled strong values in his children.
Don faithfully attended church and was a Godly man. He loved his family very much and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an avid reader and also truly enjoyed a “Good Game of Dominoes”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife.
Don is survived by his children, Jan Gruza and husband Larry, Daniel Hankins and wife Karen; four grandchildren, Jason Willis, Jennifer Winkler, Austin Hankins and Carly Baig; five great-grandchildren, Katie Willis, Ella Winkler, Lyla Winkler, Zayan Baig and Kinza Baig; a sister, Mirriam Bugg and one nephew Donald Bugg.
