John Hancock

John Hancock, 79, Kankakee, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning (November 17, 2015) at Floyd Memorial Hospital, New Albany, Indiana. He was surrounded by his children when he left to be with the Lord. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (November 19, 2015) at Schreffler Funeral Homes in Kankakee with a graveside service in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Goreville, IL at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. John was born in Goreville, March 4, 1936, in his parent’s home on the family farm. His parents, Ernest and Ora Hancock are deceased. He was the youngest of four children. John attended a one room school house near his home where his father was the teacher. He later attended Vienna High School, Vienna, Illinois, where during the fall of his senior year he met the love of his life, Marie. Their first date was to attend a school play. He picked her up and started on their way to school, when the side of the road gave way and the car turned over with everybody piled on top of each other. Everyone escaped without harm. That’s when they fell in love. They married within a year (July 22, 1954) and began their family the next year. Five children were born over the next eight years. Surviving are four sons and one daughter, Dusty (Janis) Hancock, Salem, Ind., Scott (Karen) Hancock, Morton, Bryon (Dorothy) Hancock, Milwaukee, Wis., Kip (Brenda) Hancock, Carol Stream, and Cindy (Jerry) Casey, Edwardsville. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Stephanie) Hancock, Lora (Matthew) Buckley, Justin (Dana), KT Hancock, Andrew (Julie) Hancock, Micah and Derek Hancock, Jerry Lee (Allison) Casey, Jessica Casey, Erin and Kirby Hancock. John was the proud grandfather to ten great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his wife and partner for over 60 years, Marie, who died March 2015; his parents, two brothers, Jim and Jack Hancock; and one sister, Pam Moore. John began working at Amberg File, Kankakee, in 1958 as a machine operator and janitor. With a growing family of four boys and one girl he worked all the hours he could. Never one to dodge his duties he continued to be recognized for his work ethic and common sense, serving as supervisor, engineer and production manager over the years - even as the company changed owners from Amberg to Boorum-Pease and finally Esselte. Even after his retirement he was called back to work relocating company machinery from the east coast to the Kankakee plant. A talented carpenter John, Marie and the children built the home they have lived in for almost 50 years. He also built homes and performed other major remodeling jobs for friends and family. John was that rare person who was a finish carpenter who could also frame. A farmer in spirit, John always had a large garden that supported the family. He and Marie shared a love for all the bounty of the earth and fostered that appreciation with all they met. John was always concerned that future generations would lose touch with the earth. To honor John’s memory, memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to: Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock AR 72202. Help people who need a hand up. Help other people by supporting agricultural understanding.

John Hancock

March 4, 1936 - November 17, 2015

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John Hancock

March 4, 1936 - November 17, 2015

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

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About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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