Norman J. “Norm” Hanford, 71, Leesburg, passed away at 5:57 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, after a short, but brave battle with cancer. He was born on Sept. 25, 1946 in Thawville, Ill. to Gus and Mary (Grevenstuk) Hanford.

He graduated in 1964 from Roberts-Thawville High School in Roberts, Ill. and 1972 from Eastern Illinois University with his Bachelor’s Degree. He was a United States Vietnam Army Veteran and was married on May 18, 1969 in Paxton, Ill. to Barbara J. “Barb” Reep who survives. He moved to the North Webster and Leesburg area in 1988 from St. Louis, Mo. and retired in 2002 from Monsanto (Silgan) Company after 30 years. He owned and operated Lakeland BBQ for ten years helping non-profit groups raise money, worked for several county health departments as an inspector, and was a substitute teacher for Wawasee Community Sc

hool Corporation for 15 years. 

He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster and the United Methodist Church. He was an avid sportsman playing softball and tennis when he was young and later developed a love for golf, bowling, and table tennis. He even shot an ace on a 173 yard par 3 in golf and a 300 game of bowling. He was also a Black Belt recipient in the Art of Aiki Jujitsu and maintained a large garden.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughter, Emily (Bill) Christian, Milford; a son, Steven (Kathleen) Hanford, Columbia City; five granddaughters and one grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Everett and Vernon Hanford.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Owen Family Funeral Home, St. Rd 13 & CR 500N, North Webster. Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, in the funeral home with Pastor David Herr officiating. Military services will follow at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Ridgeland Township Cemetery in Thawville, Ill.at a later date.

Preferred memorials may be given to the Wounded Warriors project, P.O. Box 7585169, Topeka, Kansas 66675- 8516. To send condolences to the family in memory of Norm Hanford, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com