Clelland J. Hanner

Clelland J. Hanner 88, of Bloomingdale passed away peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2006 in Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis. A prominent attorney and native of Parke County, Clelland was born in Rosedale on January 28, 1918 to the late James O. Hanner and Gertrude Britton Hanner. A graduate of Marshall High School, Indiana State University and Notre Dame Law School, he practiced law in Rockville for 58 years, first with his father and later with his sons, James and Gary. First elected prosecutor in 1948, Hanner gained national attention in 1977 in the prosecution of the "Hollandsburg Murders," which resulted in the conviction of all four defendants for the killing of the Brooks and Spencer children. A WWII veteran, Hanner enlisted in 1944 after a teaching stint in Montezuma. A B-17 & B-24 pilot, Hanner completed 30 missions and was awarded the air medal with three clusters and the distinguished flying cross for his service to his country. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Alice Bledsoe Hanner; one daughter, Barbara Earl and her husband Neil; four sons, James Hanner and his wife Faith, Bradley Hanner and his wife Emily, Gary Hanner and his wife Mary, Joe Hanner and his wife Linda; one brother, Harold Hanner; one sister, Irma Newton; twelve grandchildren, Melissa Kirk, Amber Cripe, Erin Hanner, Zachary Earl, Nathaniel Earl, Brooks Hanner, Ben Hanner, Abigail Hanner, Adam Hanner, Chelsea Hanner, Audrey Hanner and Noah Hanner; and he was the great-grandfather of Lillie. Hanner was a member of the Marshall Federated Church, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Rockville Elks Lodge #2471, Moose, American Legion, VFW and Amvets. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Francis Hanner who died in WWII and Jay Hanner; and one grandson, Alexander Hanner. Memorial contributions, if friends so desire, may be made in his name to the Parke County Community Foundation, PO Box 276, Rockville, IN 47872. Services will be Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gooch Funeral Home, 112 Howard Street, Rockville, with Rev. Don Perry officiating. Burial is in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Marshall. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Gooch Funeral Home, Rockville. www.goochfuneralhome.com