Elroy E. "Doc" Hanton

Elroy E. "Doc" Hanton, DD Phd. Elroy E. "Doc" Hanton, 92, DD Phd, passed away March 5, 2011 in Port Huron, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Grice Hanton (62+ yrs); son, Dan E. Hanton (Suzanne), retired Director of Athletics at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa; son, Sgt. Donald E. Hanton, (Judy), retired KCMO Police Dept., Security officer, Midway Ford Trucks, Kansas City, Missouri. He leaves five grandchildren, Kelle Hanton Wood (Mike) and Mark E Hanton (Jackie) of Port Huron; Brian Hanton (Taylor) of Park City, Utah; Wendy Hanton Reid (Eric) of Fredricksburg, Virginia; and Kristie Hanton Smith of Kansas City, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ian, Madison, Max, Cooper, Rachel and Abby; as well as many, many nephews and nieces. Elroy, was born January 14, 1919, to David Hanton Sr. and Mary Ann Hanton who arrived in Port Huron, Michigan from Scotland in 1913. The Hanton family consisted of eight daughters and four sons. "Doc' was the last living member of the original family. His twin sister Eleanor, passed away in 2007. A 1936 graduate of Port Huron High School, Doc shared a multi-career life. He served as a pilot-instructor in the RCAF and as a Ferry Command pilot in the USAAF. He was serving as the navigation and briefing instructor when WWII ended. Granted an honorable discharge, he returned to Port Huron and the Mueller Brass Company as a drafting and design engineer. In 1952, he began another career as an ordained minister for the RLDS Church. He served as a missionary, pastor, district president, Regional administrator, assistant to the Council of Twelve Apostles, Commissioner of Communications and was assistant to the First Presidency when he retired in 1979 to research the educational system of the Penal System of the state of Washington. Elroy received his Master of Theology degree in 1958 from the American Divinity School in Chicago as well as the Doctor of Divinity in 1960. He was awarded an honorary Phd from Neotarian Fellowship, Kansas City, Missouri in 1962. He returned to Michigan in 1981 and became an employee in sales for Nabozney's Sporting goods retiring in1998. During Elroy's church ministry, he and his family resided in Michigan, Ontario, New Jersey, Missouri and Washington. A memorial service honoring Elroy will take place Saturday, May 14, 2011, at the Community of Christ-Wadhams Grove Branch located on Lapeer Road. Elder David Giles and the Hanton family will officiate. A family greeting time is scheduled from 1:00-2:30 with the memorial service beginning at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Elroy's memory to Community of Christ-Wadhams Grove Branch or Outreach International-Haiti. To send condolences please visit smithfamilyfuneralhome.com