I remember meeting “Butch” ( my nickname for him) for the first time.  His humor was contagious.  We all sat and ate at his favorite Mexican restaurant and listened to his funny stories. He had quite the career as a police officer including special security in Detroit for President Ford.  I truly wish we would have had more time together to write his Autobiography together.  So glad that you are finally getting your rest and complete healing with the Lord. 
 Until we meet again on the other shore!!  

I didn’t get to spend much time with John, but I sure admired him during the time I did get. He was brilliantly funny, and staggeringly generous. An amazing bright spot in an often drab world. I always enjoyed our visits very much, and will miss the opportunity to hear his thoughts - even (especially ...) the unfiltered ones! Gone from us is a man among men. 

Kathy, Kristie and Jen,
Bob and I are so sorry for your loss.  It isn't easy losing a piece of your heart.  We will continue to lift you all up in prayer during these difficult days. We hope you find comfort and peace knowing that John is safe in the arms of Jesus and that you are surrounded with love from your family and friends.

John was a quiet and pleasant man with a subtle wit and sense of humor. What I remember most about my cousin is his always warm greetings and his obvious love for his girls.  He was the kind of husband, father, and grandfather that  showed his joy through his expression; sitting back with a smile as his beloved social butterflies fluttered the room.   John will be dearly missed.

Dear Kathy, Kristie, Jen and family,

What a treasure John Hangstefer has been in our lives! We love you all, and are so sorry for your suffering as you mourn his passing. However, we know that you all are finding some comfort in knowing that he is “present with the Lord”, now, as the scriptures tell us. What a hope that is for us all!

John (“Butch”, as we lovingly called him), was a joy to talk with, learned and inquisitive. In the midst of his own suffering through infirmity, he somehow found the energy to be kind, witty, and even generous. 

Upon hearing of our daughter’s goal to excel at archery (after a tragic accident to her dominant hand), he encouraged her by giving her the gift of his Bear recurve bow, which astounded her, and which is displayed in her home awaiting the next trip to the archery range. Thank you, John, for generously believing in her dream and ability to achieve it!:)

We have had the joy of watching John love his family, first hand, and enjoyed hearing the verbal sparring he would do with Kristie - a match of wits and gentle sarcasm - always concluding with a smile and sometimes a wink. No doubt his adoration of his girls and his loving and doting wife, Kathy, has been palpable. What a strong personality, too. 

Another memory is seeing John on the phone checking on friends and family - just sharing conversationwith ease and sincere interest. His ability to embrace a basic phone call as a delightful event made me miss the days when times were a bit slower and people took time to really connect through phone calls. He was careful to share a little of his life and enjoyed listening to a little of the life happenings of the person on the other end. That refreshed our hearts in the importance of connectivity and caring about others. It was neat to witness.

As a Navy man serving his country, a police officer serving his community, and a man who loves God and his family, John has been an inspiration to us as a man of character!



My heart is breaking for Kathy, the girls & all of John's family.   I don't have any one specific memory to share but all of my memories of John & Kathy include lots of friendship & lot of laughing.  When we first met & then became neighbors we shared meals & drinks & lots of laughing.  Our girls played together almost every day.  John was Roy's scout car partner and they shared so many crazy stories.  I always felt at peace knowing they were together & would take care of each other.  I also knew that if anything ever happened to Roy, John would be there to help me.  I love you John & will miss you and will be so happy to give you a giant hug when we meet again.

I had pretty much moved from the area when John joined the family so I don’t have many memories to share. What I do remember is everyone liked him. I never heard anyone in  the family say anything bad about John,  We all respected what he did and were glad he was part of our family. 
I know that John has now found eternal peace and I wish God’s peace for Kathy and the rest of his family, as well. 

I was introduced to John by a fellow Detroit Police Officer in November, 1969.  Over the next 50+ years, I came to know him rather well.  We worked together; we attended functions together; we socialized together; we even shared part-time living quarters  for about 14 years.  We became friends.

Our personal and professional interests were similar and both of us chose to find and use humor in whatever we were involved in, from the serious to the sublime.  John had a great spirit of wittiness about him and was a master at 'turning a phrase' and  we laughed until we cried on many occasions.

Over the years, I've also come to know and become close to his wife Kathy and their daughters Kristi and Jen.  As they grieve for the loss of their husband and father, I pray for many blessings upon them as well as the the rest of John's family and to those others whose lives John has impacted.  John has certainly impacted my life.  He was like a brother to me.  He was my best friend.

Gerald Sington

John was a good dad, good husband and my good friend.  John and I worked together at the old Fourteenth Precinct in  Detroit on scout 14-3  in the late 1960s  and had more fun working together in those years than is legal in most states.  We kept each other alive and out of serious trouble on more than one occasion.  He had my back and I had his.  Though our business idea of "Thermopane Plywood" to be sold to all the business owners in our area never quite got off the ground, we always had a good time talking it over.  John and Kathy bought the house next door to Jeannie and I on Braile street and we all shared great times with our young families and our backyard swimming pool  that John and I would get into after working an afternoon shift in the summer.   I'll miss you partner, and I'll look forward to seeing you  again - sooner than later. 

My second dad… I have so many funny memories!  He was so funny, he made me laugh EVERY time I talked to him! One winter he and Kathy were going on a trip, he told Kristie and I if we left Moe outside too long, we could have Mo-sicles.   He always had such kind and caring words for Kristie and me. Some that come immediately to mind are: Rude, Crude, and uncouth! I love him so much! He will be missed greatly, as he was loved greatly! See you soon dad! Xoxoxo

John was such a great guy.  Always cordial and friendly.  An easy going gentle man who always had kind words to say.  We always found time at family functions to catch up on life.  John was a great listener and always showed interest in what was going on in my world. You’ll be missed by many John.  Rest In Eternal Peace with our King.  

Each time I sit down to write this my eyes well up with tears. My deepest sympathy goes out to John's family and friends. John was a good man. He was kind, intelligent, generous and funny. He was a good son, husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle, and cousin to many. Kathy my heart goes out to you, I am so saddened for your loss. You were happily together for so long. Jen, Kristie, and Kylee it is so hard to loose a parent or grandparent, I am so sorry for your loss. Tom and Martie I cannot imagine loosing a sibling, it must be so hard. I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express my sadness at John's passing and how I know it has affected each member of his family. It saddens me because I care so much about your family. John is in heaven or waiting for all of you to join him and go up to heaven together. I know that you all have wonderful memories of your times with John and had many laughs with him. Hold those memories dear to your heart and feel him smiling down on each of you. Love and peace to all the Hangstefer's and extended family. May God bless John's soul and each of yours! 

Uncle John has always been an inspiration to me. Following in the same career path, knowing first hand the struggles that come with the weight of the job. Uncle John always laughed, joked around and had such a positive outlook on life. I always looked forward to the stories he’d share and even till his last days he had new ways to make me laugh. In distance he may be far but he will forever be close in heart.

How do you talk about 49 years of your dad in your life...

He always said to my sister and I, “I love you too much!”  He wanted us to know how very much he loved us...  and we always remembered that.  ❤️

I miss my dad so much.  His Witt.  His voice.   Having morning coffee with him.  Simply just seeing him everyday.  

I’ll see you in Heaven daddy...  because of Jesus!!!!  

He was an amazing police officer..A man that was respected.

John sure was an easy going, sweet guy.  We rode the bus to high school together and it was always nice to start my day enjoying his company.  Truth be known.....I had a little crush on him!  I can just imagine what a wonderful police officer he was.  I’m sure his family was blessed to have him and my wish is that they will all keep the good times in their hearts.  My thoughts are with you all.

I remember on the day he married Kathy I wonder if John would still be standing by the end of the ceremony. I was a bridesmaid, you see and as I came down the aisle I thought, “ I remember meeting this guy but his face was not gray looking like it is at this moment.” The blood was drained right out of John’s face. I’m not sure if he were nervous or feeling some remance from his bachelor party. However he came across in his vows like a prince…..as he has been ever since that day. John you will be greatly missed by so many people here that love you. Keep an eye on your gaggle of girls from your new vantage point. We’ll do the same right here. 

OBITUARY

John Stilwill Hangstefer

October 19, 1945 – June 28, 2021

Elton Black & Son Funeral Home

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