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Earl Thomas Hanthorn

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Earl Thomas Hanthorn

Birth	:	11 Jan 1932
Death	:	14 Mar 2021
Burial	:	Leon Cemetery, Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.7434006, -93.7572021
Description	:	arl Thomas Hanthorn, age 89, son of Thomas Elmer and Elsie Rosamond (Barnts) Hanthorn, was born January 11, 1932, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He passed away at Westview Acres Care Center in Leon, Iowa on March 14, 2021. The family moved to a farm in Eden Township in Decatur County, Iowa, in March of 1932, when Earl was two months old. He lived on the same farm all his life except for two years while in the U.S. Army from June 1952, until May 1954, serving in Korea for 16 months of that time and the later years while residing at... Read More	arl Thomas Hanthorn, age 89, son of Thomas Elmer and Elsie Rosamond (Barnts) Hanthorn, was born January 11, 1932, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He passed away at Westview Acres Care Center in Leon, Iowa on March 14, 2021. The family moved to a farm in Eden Township in Decatur County, Iowa, in March of 1932, when Earl was two months old. He lived on the same farm all his life except for two years while in the U.S. Army from June 1952, until May 1954, serving in Korea for 16 months of that time and the later years while residing at Westview. He went to East Eden country school, then graduated from Leon High School with the Class of 1950. On February 9, 1952, he married Joanne Hembry, and two sons, Eric Joel and Ervin James, blessed this union. In 1974, AFS student, Angelo Salsi, from Italy, joined the family. Farming was Earl’s vocation, raising Black Angus cattle, except for 10 years he spent as manager of Southern Iowa Rural Water from 1988 to 1997 traveling to Creston, Iowa each day. During his ten years there many advancements were made in getting rural water to the residents of the seven counties involved. He received the honor of “Manager of the Year” in 1989, and 1994, from the Iowa Rural Water Association. He retired from SIRWA in May of 1997, and in December of that year had to assume the farming responsibilities again due to the death of son, Eric. Earl continued until grandson, Scott, was able to manage to the farm. He was involved in many organization during his life, whether it be the church, the Farm Bureau, Lions Club, VFW, and a 50+ year member of the American Legion helping with military funerals and placing flags at veteran’s graves for Memorial Day. While serving as a VA county commissioner a permanent VA office was established in Decatur County, which has helped many veterans in the area. Earl was a longtime member of the Decatur County Farm Bureau and served in every position on the board. In the 1970’s, while serving as president, several rural-urban banquets were held bringing country and city folks together to enjoy fine food prepared by the Farm Bureau ladies, and entertainment of music and notable speakers such as U.S. Congressman Bill Scherle, Governor Robert D. Ray, and others. While serving on the Iowa State Farm Bureau Board, in February of 1977, he and Joanne, along with other Farm Bureau members, were able to go to Hawaii while the snow was falling in Iowa. Earl was a long-time member of Loving Chapel United Methodist Church, serving in every capacity on the Administrative Council and as a certified Lay Speaker. He greatly enjoyed making the dark, spooky, cardboard Halloween maze in the barn. The youth of the church enjoyed taking a hayride, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows with other snacks and hot chocolate after scaring each other going through the maze. On different nights the adult members of the church and neighbors could enjoy some of the same fare. He joined the Leon Lions Club in 1969, and was a very active member until his stroke in 2013. Under the sponsorship of the Lions he helped organize and was a leader of the Leos Club with youth members involved in community projects and raising funds for the Department of the Blind. Earl worked on the many community projects sponsored by the Lions, but the most rewarding to him was the restoration of monuments in the Leon Cemetery, as well as the erection of the small building housing a chapel and indoor restroom located at the cemetery. Starting in 2000, and for many summers after, he and many others worked tirelessly each summer at the cemetery to straighten or build new foundations for fallen monuments and even making new markers where there were none. The financing and planning for the chapel building had been accomplished when he had a stroke and was unable to help in the construction. Many volunteers made it happen for which he was so grateful. He received the “Citizen of the Year” award in 2005, from the Leon Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed bowling and playing golf and especially the pitch games at the Country Club and at home whenever Shannon could get two or three more to come. He made a “hole in one” while golfing with friends much to the dismay of his pocketbook. He truly enjoyed taking trips to the south, walking on the beach and collecting shells. In 2002, he and family traveled to Brussels, Belgium to visit their AFS student and his family. Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He coached Little League when Eric and Ervin were growing up and several games saw one son as pitcher and the other son as catcher. He greatly enjoyed visits from family, friends, and neighbors after his stroke making him unable to walk, but still able to talk. Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Eric, in 1997; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Charles Lima; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lyman and Ula Mae, Warren “Pete” and Lois Jean, and Elton and Pauline Hanthorn; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marybelle and Ralph Hill, Raymond Terry, Myron Hembry, and Donald and Glendean Hembry; and nephews, Joe Engelbrecht and Alan Hill. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Joanne Hanthorn of Leon, Iowa; son, Ervin Hanthorn of Port St. Lucie, Florida; daughter-in-law, Carol and Jay Saxton of Leon; grandchildren, Christy Hanthorn and Dan Park of Manhattan, Kansas and Scott and Whitney Hanthorn of Leon; great grandchildren, Layla, Blair, and Joel Hanthorn; AFS son, Angelo Salsi and family of Brussels, Belgium; sister, Joann Terry of Colona, Illinois; sister-in-law, Carol and Leo Engelbrecht of Altoona, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Earl Thomas Hanthorn's memorial?
Earl Thomas Hanthorn's memorial is located at: Leon Cemetery, Leon, Decatur County, USA.
When did Earl Thomas Hanthorn death?
Earl Thomas Hanthorn death on 14 Mar 2021 in
Where are the coordinates of the Earl Thomas Hanthorn's memorial?
Latitude: 40.7434006
Longitude: -93.7572021

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas Elmer Hanthorn

(1874 - 1958)

Elsie Rosamond Barnts Hanthorn

(1892 - 1979)

Siblings

Warren Edward Hanthorn

(1920 - 2000)

Elton Hanthorn

(1925 - 2011)

Children

Eric Joel Hanthorn

(1956 - 1997)

Flowers:

?°´''°•.¸¸.+?Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what's to be. A resting place along the road to sweet eternity?''°•.¸¸.+?

Left by Anonymous on 18 Mar 2021

?'°•.¸¸.?With honor and respect. Thank you for your service to our great and grateful nation. Rest easy Patriot. ?'°•.¸¸.?

Left by Anonymous on 20 Mar 2021

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Palestine Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7422986, -93.7954545

2. Manchester Cemetery
Eden Township, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7078971, -93.7592232

3. Salem Mennonite Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7392000, -93.7060000

4. Shy Cemetery
Woodland, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7751468, -93.7955189

5. Waller Cemetery
Decatur City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7333340, -93.8168900

6. Franklin Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7818413, -93.7224770

7. Meek Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7047005, -93.7061005

8. Campbell Burying Ground
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6888910, -93.7391110

9. Decatur City Cemetery
Decatur City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7435989, -93.8392029

10. Hatfield Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6888920, -93.7168880

11. Mount Tabor Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7178000, -93.6818000

12. County Home Cemetery
Eden Township, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6916699, -93.7016101

13. Chastain Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6915000, -93.6884000

14. Bethel Cemetery
Eden Township, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6659260, -93.7716150

15. Johnson Cemetery
Leon, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8244019, -93.7144012

16. Miller Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7026000, -93.8592000

17. Gore Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6599362, -93.7980080

18. Cash Cemetery
Decatur City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7308036, -93.8815641

19. Trinity Hills Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7326000, -93.8832000

20. Hall Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7107000, -93.6321000

21. Beaver Cemetery
Woodland, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7092018, -93.6314011

22. Trullinger Cemetery
Garden Grove, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7827988, -93.6331024

23. Saint Marys Cemetery
Woodland, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6761017, -93.6556015

24. Woodmansee Cemetery
Grand River, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7405590, -93.8944817