Walter Erwin Hanson, of Tuscola, age 92, passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2007. The funeral service will be held at Renner Wikoff Chapel, Urbana, on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 2:00. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Erwin Hanson was born November 8, 1914, in Villa Grove, Illinois. He was the son of Gilmer and Iona Hanson. On June 16th, 1940, Erwin married Anna May Bacon and raised three daughters until she passed away on July 28th, 1978. He spent most of his 92 years of life in the Champaign-Urbana area until just recently moving to Tuscola.

Erwin married Martha R. Lansky March 3, 1979. He is survived by his wife, Martha; a daughter, Joyce Cox of Desert Hot Springs, California; twin daughters Donna Hanson of Huntsville, Alabama and Diane Williams of Chrisman, Illinois; a stepson, George Lansky and wife Nancy of Tuscola; three grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, five great grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Anna May, and two sisters, Pauline Sedgwick and Thelma Morris.

Erwin retired in September, 1977, after 31 A½ years of being a storekeeper for the Operations and Maintenance Division of the University of Illinois. During the next five years of retirement, he worked as a private security guard.

Erwin has been a proud member of V.F.W. post #630 for the past 60 years. While serving in the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, along with other medals and decorations.

Erwin was a charter member of the Champaign County United Fund when it was created by the merger of the Champaign County Health and Welfare Association, Community Chest, and Red Cross. He was also a charter member of the 7th Infantry Veterans Association, a charter member of the University Merit Board of Trustees of Civil Service System, and past president of U of I local #698 employees union.

For the love of the game, he was an umpire for 18 years for little league teams, park district softball, and adult baseball. He loved reading, solving challenging crossword puzzles, working in the yard, and doing volunteer work. He was also a member of the Urbana Senior Citizens.

Erwin was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Urbana for many years.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Urbana, 304 S. Race Street, Urbana, IL 61801.