George J. Hanna

Mr. Hanna died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at Bethesda Home in Goessel.

He was born Aug. 14, 1920, in Newton, the son of George James and Gertrude Catherine Wourms Hanna. He attended Newton schools, graduating from Newton High School in 1938. He attended Bethel College in North Newton for three years and graduated from Kansas University.

Mr. Hanna served in the U.S. Navy during World War II until May 23, 1946, attaining rank of first lieutenant. He became a partner in Hanna Furniture Co. in Newton in 1946, and later became sole owner and operator until he retired in 1987. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton. He taught the high school religion class and was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus, where he served as grand knight. He was a member and past president of Newton Chamber of Commerce.

He served on numerous economic and community development boards. He was a life member of Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He married Betty Jean McGinn on Jan. 28, 1949, in Hutchinson. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Timothy, Wichita, and Mike, Newton; four daughters, Kit Goering, Newton, Lee Ann Koehn, Newton, Teresa Larson, Lawrence, Claire Young, Goessel; a brother, Edward, Wichita; a sister Dorothy Lytle, Euless, Texas; seven grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

A rosary will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests memorials to the church building fund, Central Homecare and Hospice, Bethesda Home or Alzheimer’s Research Assn., sent in care of the funeral home, 215 N. Main, Newton 67114.