Virgil Hanson

Virgil Owen Hanson, 86, of Barrington, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2014, with his devoted wife of 63 years, and his children, by his side. Originally of Hammond, Indiana, Virgil was born on April 11, 1927, to the late Zelda (née Meritt) and John Hanson and was the second of five children.

Virgil served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marines in World War II. He attended Indiana Central College graduating with a degree in Physical Education in 1950 and played varsity football there. Later on he received a master’s degree in media from Indiana University. Virgil coached varsity football and taught at Reavis High School and also coached and taught at Glenbard East High School and Glenbard South High School. He was an insurance agent with Equitable Life Insurance. He had a passion for football and most sports, and enjoyed fishing in Wisconsin, Canada and Alaska.

Virgil loved his family. He met his wife, Ruth LaFavre, at college, and had four children. Upon retiring in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, he spent many hours fishing, playing bridge, gardening and spending time with friends and family. In the last years of his life, he and Ruth lived in Barrington, Illinois, to be closer to family. Always open to new friendships, he met daily for coffee with a wonderful group at a local McDonalds’s.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Ruth (née LaFavre); his three children, Eric of New York City, Greg (Jan) of Libertyville, and Kim of Barrington; his beloved grandchildren, Katie Hanson and Jack Hanson; and his sister, Carol Stirling of Hammond, Indiana. He was predeceased by his daughter, Pamela Kay; and three of his siblings, Louise Rider, Paul Hanson, and Robert Hanson.

A celebration service of Virgil's life will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 401 East Main Street (Lake-Cook Road), Barrington, IL 60010. The family will receive friends and family from 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes gifts be given to St. Paul United Church of Christ or JourneyCare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010, or www.journeycare.org, each of whom supported Virgil remarkably through his last journey.