Lewis "Lew" Hankins

LEWIS "LEW" HANKINS Lewis "Lew" Hankins, 89, a beloved resident of Tipton passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the age of 89 at Century Villa Healthcare in Greentown. Born on November 26, 1934, in Elwood, he was the son of Hayden Hankins and Saba Startzman. After graduating from Elwood High School, Lew dedicated his working life to the auto industry. He started his career as an auto body mechanic at Moore Brothers Chevrolet and Service Motor Company Buick and Pontiac dealerships in Tipton. In 1968, he opened Hankins Body Shop, where he continued to serve the community until his retirement in 2009. On June 26, 1954, Lew married Glenda Pauline Blackburn, with whom he shared three children. He is survived by his loving family, including daughter Debra Robinson, son Michael Hankins and his wife Sharon "Missy", grandchildren Cory Robinson, Melissa Hankins, Amy Parks, and Christopher Hankins, as well as five great-grandchildren and his cousin Shirley Startzman. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pauline who passed away in 1997, and his son David who left us in 2020. Lew was a member of the Tipton Elks and the Moose Lodge, contributing to the community and sharing friendships. He cherished the wonderful times spent with family and friends at their lake home on Lake Shafer in Monticello which were some of his most treasured memories. Funeral services for Lew will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Ashley Sherard presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences for Lew's family may be made on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 681405, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268.