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On September 7th, our Lord and Savior dispatched a heavenly envoy to escort his faithful servant, Retired Master Sergeant John E. Hanewall to His Father’s Kingdom for his final and eternal tour of duty. John was born on November 16, 1928 in Beloit, WI. to George and Olga Hanewall. He grew up in a family which included two brothers, Robert and Paul, and three sisters, Junice, Ony and Barbara, where a strong commitment to family was instilled. He attended Janesville High School and graduated in 1948. He loved sports and was captain of the cross country and track team. He was the 1947 Division A State Champion in the Mile Run. His love of sports and competition was passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Packer fan and enjoyed watching sports, on all levels, from Little League to High School to professional sports. John shared his love of track by serving as a Volunteer Coach for the Janesville Special Olympics team in 1991 coaching the distance runners. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for almost 25 years, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant, serving tours of duty during the Korean War (1952-53) and the Vietnam Conflict (1968-69). In December 1953, he married Peggy Rindfleisch, “the love of his life”, from Norfolk, Virginia. Their relationship was often described by those who knew them as “one Hollywood made movies about”. During their 64 years together, they were blessed with 6 children, John Jr (Luan), Fritz (Stephanie), Robert, Eric (Sherri), Suzan (Mike) Shaw, and Kristina (Dean) Bakke; 12 grandchildren, Karmyn, Zachary, Lucas, Katie, BJ, Tirzah, Renee, Justin, Christina, Emma, Jared and Suzan; and 12 great grandchildren, Madelyn, Mason, Payten, Pyper, Palmer, Quinn, Laine, Kai, Ayla, Kendall, Bode, Jude, and Cecelia. He imparted in his children the “gift of fury…consume everything life puts in front of you and strive for perfection”, as well as the value of loyalty and family. The successes and achievements that his children obtained while growing up and as adults was largely due to having John’s broad shoulders to stand upon to look farther and reach higher, which gave him a great sense of pride and enjoyment. John retired from the Marine Corps in 1972 and moved his family back to his hometown of Janesville. He took a job with Gardner’s Baking Company until his “civilian” retirement. He and Peggy purchased their first home in 1972, after having moved from place to place while serving in the Marine Corps. John and Peggy loved their home that they lived in for almost 45 years and treasured their wonderful and loving neighbors, Jerry and Nona Dillon, who lived next door during these “golden” years. John’s faith in God and our Lord was much like the disciple, Peter, who was a simple fisherman, before becoming a disciple of Christ. It was strong and steadfast, and he passed this on to his children and grandchildren. Not one to engage in long theological discussions, he once answered the question, “what is the most important lesson in the Bible” by simply singing, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so”. Once he retired, he enjoyed the morning devotion and Bible study that he and Peggy would share during and after breakfast each day. He was a devoted member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and he and Peggy often shared messages of the Gospel through their Clown Ministry and the “Ta-Dah Celebration”.
Those who knew John, will tell you that his quick wit, love of jokes and sense of humor were some of his finest qualities. A “clown at heart”, John took this to a new level when he donned a costume and make-up one day, creating the loveable character, “Pappa-Doo”, and then embarking on a career in clowning with Peggy aka “P. Mima” for close to 30 years. It was during this time clowning that they met fellow clowns and dear friends, Red and Virginia Dahl, whom they performed with and took numerous adventures with to Washington DC, Niagara Falls, and Branson, MO. John enjoyed attending the Midwest Clown Association yearly and reconnecting with his “extended clown family” and friends. John enters the house of Our Father ahead of his loving wife, Peggy, his beloved brother-in-law, Walter (Tuffy) Rindfliesch, and his last remaining sibling, Barbara Rittenhouse, as well the “legacy” of children, sons and daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members and dear friends whose lives he touched and who are spread out throughout the United States. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Swifthaven Community in Edgerton, where John resided the last 6 months of his life, Home Instead Senior Care, especially Maria and Helen, and the caring and compassionate staff of Heartland Hospice, as well as all the family and friends who sent positive thoughts and prayers during his last few days. And while we mourn his passing, we smile in knowing his stories, one liners, and jokes will continue to be told and carried out by so many who knew him. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday September 11, 2017 at St. Mark Lutheran Church with Pastor Dean Pittelko and Pastor Brad Urlaub officiating. Burial will follow in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. Military Rites will be conducted by V.F.W. Kienow-Hilt Post 1621. A visitation will be held Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home 1010 N. Wright Rd. Janesville.

On September 7th, our Lord and Savior dispatched a heavenly envoy to escort his faithful servant, Retired Master Sergeant John E. Hanewall to His Father’s Kingdom for his final and eternal tour of duty. John was born on November 16, 1928 in Beloit, WI. to George and Olga Hanewall. He grew up in a family which included two brothers, Robert and Paul, and three sisters, Junice, Ony and Barbara, where a strong commitment to family was instilled. He attended Janesville High School and graduated in 1948. He loved sports and was captain of the cross country and track team. He was the 1947 Division A State Champion in the Mile Run. His love of sports and competition was passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Packer fan and enjoyed watching sports, on all levels, from Little League to High School to professional sports. John shared his love of track by serving as a Volunteer Coach for the Janesville Special Olympics team in 1991 coaching the distance runners. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for almost 25 years, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant, serving tours of duty during the Korean War (1952-53) and the Vietnam Conflict (1968-69). In December 1953, he married Peggy Rindfleisch, “the love of his life”, from Norfolk, Virginia. Their relationship was often described by those who knew them as “one Hollywood made movies about”. During their 64 years together, they were blessed with 6 children, John Jr (Luan), Fritz (Stephanie), Robert, Eric (Sherri), Suzan (Mike) Shaw, and Kristina (Dean) Bakke; 12 grandchildren, Karmyn, Zachary, Lucas, Katie, BJ, Tirzah, Renee, Justin, Christina, Emma, Jared and Suzan; and 12 great grandchildren, Madelyn, Mason, Payten, Pyper, Palmer, Quinn, Laine, Kai, Ayla, Kendall, Bode, Jude, and Cecelia. He imparted in his children the “gift of fury…consume everything life puts in front of you and strive for perfection”, as well as the value of loyalty and family. The successes and achievements that his children obtained while growing up and as adults was largely due to having John’s broad shoulders to stand upon to look farther and reach higher, which gave him a great sense of pride and enjoyment. John retired from the Marine Corps in 1972 and moved his family back to his hometown of Janesville. He took a job with Gardner’s Baking Company until his “civilian” retirement. He and Peggy purchased their first home in 1972, after having moved from place to place while serving in the Marine Corps. John and Peggy loved their home that they lived in for almost 45 years and treasured their wonderful and loving neighbors, Jerry and Nona Dillon, who lived next door during these “golden” years. John’s faith in God and our Lord was much like the disciple, Peter, who was a simple fisherman, before becoming a disciple of Christ. It was strong and steadfast, and he passed this on to his children and grandchildren. Not one to engage in long theological discussions, he once answered the question, “what is the most important lesson in the Bible” by simply singing, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so”. Once he retired, he enjoyed the morning devotion and Bible study that he and Peggy would share during and after breakfast each day. He was a devoted member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and he and Peggy often shared messages of the Gospel through their Clown Ministry and the “Ta-Dah Celebration”.
Those who knew John, will tell you that his quick wit, love of jokes and sense of humor were some of his finest qualities. A “clown at heart”, John took this to a new level when he donned a costume and make-up one day, creating the loveable character, “Pappa-Doo”, and then embarking on a career in clowning with Peggy aka “P. Mima” for close to 30 years. It was during this time clowning that they met fellow clowns and dear friends, Red and Virginia Dahl, whom they performed with and took numerous adventures with to Washington DC, Niagara Falls, and Branson, MO. John enjoyed attending the Midwest Clown Association yearly and reconnecting with his “extended clown family” and friends. John enters the house of Our Father ahead of his loving wife, Peggy, his beloved brother-in-law, Walter (Tuffy) Rindfliesch, and his last remaining sibling, Barbara Rittenhouse, as well the “legacy” of children, sons and daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members and dear friends whose lives he touched and who are spread out throughout the United States. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Swifthaven Community in Edgerton, where John resided the last 6 months of his life, Home Instead Senior Care, especially Maria and Helen, and the caring and compassionate staff of Heartland Hospice, as well as all the family and friends who sent positive thoughts and prayers during his last few days. And while we mourn his passing, we smile in knowing his stories, one liners, and jokes will continue to be told and carried out by so many who knew him. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday September 11, 2017 at St. Mark Lutheran Church with Pastor Dean Pittelko and Pastor Brad Urlaub officiating. Burial will follow in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. Military Rites will be conducted by V.F.W. Kienow-Hilt Post 1621. A visitation will be held Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home 1010 N. Wright Rd. Janesville.