David D. Hancock

MARION - The Rev. David D. Hancock, 70, went to be with the Lord at 4:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, after a year long battle with a brain tumor. He passed away peacefully at home on his 49th wedding anniversary.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday in John A. Logan College Hancock Conference Center, with the Rev. John Howat and the Rev. Jerry Schell officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at John A. Logan. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family. Private family burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, John A. Logan College Hancock Scholarship Fund or the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute; envelopes are available through the funeral home or may be sent to Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.

David was born in Oak on Aug. 1, 1940, to Elsberry and Mary Ruth (Frick) Hancock. David moved to Marion in 1945. He married Jaclyn Lashley on Aug. 20, 1961; together they shared 49 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Hancock of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Janeen and Steve Plumer of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Valerie Hancock of Jordan; grandchildren, Alexis and Luke McAnally of Lexington, Ky., Ashton Plumer of Marion, Victoria Hancock and Nicholas Hancock, both of Jordan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rodman and Elaine Hancock and Ray and Ruth Hancock, all of Marion; nephews, Barry and Jennifer Hancock, Captain Daryl and Colleen Hancock, Andrew Hancock, Aaron Hancock, Henry Benerman and Ethan Hancock; and nieces, Kellie and Mike McSparin, Karen Hancock, Grace Benerman and Elizabeth Hancock.

David attended Marion Schools, graduated in 1958, attended classes at Southern Illinois University and graduated from Southern Baptist Bible College. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Oxford University in Tennessee for his work there, serving on the Board of Regents for 13 years.

David was a Baptist bi-vocational minister serving in Williamson and Johnson counties. He was licensed to preach on Oct. 12, 1958 and ordained Feb. 16, 1962, at Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church. He has been preaching for 52 years. David was honored for his pastoral loving of the Lord and his people at Cana Baptist Church on July 11, 2010, under the blessings of the Rev. John Howat. For almost five years, David has been the pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church on U.S. 45. Since 2003, he served with the Chaplin Corp at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

David was a Million Dollar Round Table Producer for Prudential 12 out of 13 years. He owned Hancock Insurance Agency for four years, tripling the agency's volume during that period. He then worked for American States Insurance and SAFECO for 21 years. He always ranked as one of the top life sales reps in the company and was a recipient of the Top Ten Club and the President's Award many times. At his retirement, he ranked number one in the U.S. David had degrees in LUTC, CLU and CPEU.

David was active in Scouts during his life, achieving the Order of the Arrow. He became a Scout Master and was recently the District Chairman for the Egyptian Boy Scouts of America and the Greater St. Louis Area Council.

Lions Club was his passion with the motto, "We Serve." He was a Johnston City Lions member for many years, and at his death was a member of the Marion Lions. He held almost every position in the Lions Club and belonged to Lions International from 1965 to the present. He was the first district governor of I-CS, and one of the youngest to hold this position. In 1976 to 1977, he helped organize Marion Lioness Club. He was an ambassador of Good Will and a certified Guiding Lion. He became the district governor in 2003 to 2004, where he also was a chaplain of Lions of Illinois Foundation.

David believed in the Masonic Mission of God first, family second and country third. He was a precinct committeeman for many years. He kept up on current events and politics. He served on Marion City Council as police and fire commissioner for 12 years, from 1983 to 1995.

David was a licensed pilot, took 4x4 trips in the Colorado Mountains, had HO trains, liked to hunt and camp and decorated Chevy Chase-style at Christmas.

For the past five years, David was one of the seven trustees of John A. Logan College. He was serving as board chairman at his death. In appreciation of his love, leadership and vision, a dedication ceremony in his honor was hosted where a room was named in his behalf. David loved being a part of John A. Logan, praising and improving the college with his leadership. He also, was Illinois Chairman of the Board Leadership Council of Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wilson Hancock.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.bluefuneralhome.com.