Elmer L. Hans, age 86, of Thomson, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at Mercy Medical Skilled Care, Clinton, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 10, at Hope United Methodist Church in Chadwick, IL. Burial will be in the Chadwick Cemetery, Chadwick, IL., with Military Honors accorded by the American Legion Post #1025. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Friends may also call an hour prior to the funeral service from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 10, at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Elmer’s name.
Elmer was born Friday, March 25, 1921 in Ideal, Illinois, the son of William J.and Neva (Atherton) Hans. He was a 1939 graduate of the Thomson High School. Elmer married Arletta Hartman on September 1, 1944 in Ideal, Illinois. Arletta died June 2, 1982.
Elmer was a Veteran, having served four and one-half years in the Army Air Corps, including two and one-half years in CBI (China, Burma, India). Elmer had numerous trips into China and received the Nationalist Chinese War Medal for service in China. He also served in the 3rd Air Depot Group of the 10th Air Force. He was medically discharged as a Master Sergeant on December 7, 1944. Elmer farmed for forty-five years on the family farm near Ideal. Elmer’s memberships include the Hope United Methodist in Chadwick, Donald Ashpole American Legion Post #1025, Lifetime Member Disabled American Veterans Rock River Valley, Lifetime Member Carl F. Moershel Iowa Basha (CBI Veterans Association), Savanna Moose Lodge #1095, Board Member and President of the Carroll County Livestock Feeders Association, Member National Livestock Feeders Association, and a Charter Member National Cattlemen Association. Elmer was also very active in his community where he served on the Thomson School District 311 (10 years President) and the Argo Fay School Boards, along with the Northwest Division of Illinois School Board’s Advisory Committee. He also Survivors include two sons, Terry and his wife Kathy of Fulton, IL, and Ronald and his wife Judy of Thomson, IL; one daughter, Julie Lindstrom and her husband Steven of Fulton, IL; nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Manning of Thomson, IL.
His parents and wife, Arletta, and special friend, Betty Handel, preceded Elmer in death.