James Hanis

James Hanis was a driven manfocused on his family, determined to be his professional best, and intentional toward his community. He was just as dedicated as he was loving toward his wife and sons. He was creative and funny, active and giving, always first in line to give a helping hand. James was born in Muskegon, Michigan on September 24, 1953, when America was enjoying the peace and prosperity of post-WWII optimism. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. James was one of ten children born to Stephen and Theresa (Pekarchik) Hanis: Steve, Jean, George, Jim, Ed, David, Diane, Albert, Art and Pat. He enjoyed being the center of attention with his older siblings and playing with the younger ones and his pet dog Chuck. Their father worked as a sheet metal journeyman, while their mother had her hands full at home. Growing up in Norton Shores on Old Grand Haven Road, Jim went to Kindergarten and 1st grade at Hile School and then Sacred Heart School through the 8th grade. He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, played baseball with neighbor kids and went small game hunting. He was most close with his brother George, and the two did landscaping together. At one point, they wanted to run away to Hoffmaster State Park; the only problem being they first asked their parents for permission. The Hanis family created many traditions that bonded them together. During the summer, they liked to go blueberry picking, tend the family garden, toboggan the sand dunes at Lake Michigan, attend church every Sunday morning and watch Disney movies in the evening, complete with waffles and ice cream. With so much to look forward to, everyone pitched in with chores on Saturday morning so they could be done for the week. Jim graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1971 and from Grand Valley State University with a B.S. degree in industrial technology. With such a high-priority investment toward his career, it was rather amusing that one of the most significant events in his life happened at an ordinary laundromat. There he met a fellow patron named Beth Weller and learned that they shared a mutual friend. Jim started asking that friend about Beth and then just happened to show up wherever he discovered she would be. Love took over, and the two committed their lives to one another in marriage on June 22, 1974. Jim and Beth made a life together that was full of laughter and blessing, especially when their children were born. Jim was so happy and proud to be the father of their two healthy sons: Eric born July 1978 and Jason in January 1980. The house they moved into just before Eric was born was the place the family called home, even to this day. Being a loving and dedicated father, Jim wanted to set an example for his sons and support them in their activities. Not only was he a Cub master, Scout den leader, softball coach and volunteer at their sporting events and Science Olympiad, he went the extra mile for the boys and their friends. At Cub Scout pack meetings, he often dressed thematically. For example, one meeting he came as a king and knighted the boys with a sword. Another time he played a cowboy and had put baby powder in his pockets, so that whenever the kids hit his jeans, it looked like dirt and dust coming off his clothes. The boys loved it. As a family, Jim and Beth created traditions around the holidays and enjoyed taking vacations to Florida. Jims personal hobbies ran the gambit, from photography and woodworking to golfing, hiking, swimming, and geocaching (an outdoor treasure hunt in which players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices). He also trained their pet Irish Setter and competed in obedience shows. He helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, was a volunteer fire fighter and first responder for Grand Haven Township Fire Department. All this he did while investing in a career that kept advancing. Jim was proud to be a machinist/toolmaker for a number of years, but he made a choice to go back to school to become and engineer. In engineering, he worked in the aerospace, automotive and furniture industries as an employee of Challenge Manufacturing, Johnson Technology, Diesel Technology and Trendway. Jim and Beth loved being together, sharing their spiritual life as members of Westwood Reformed Church and their recreational life as best friends. When the sons grew up and on their own, the two of them extensively toured Michigan to photograph lighthouses, enjoying a superb trip to Mexico, and taking a thrilling helicopter ride in the Grand Canyon. Beth always felt blessed to be married to such a wonderful man and a great dad. It was obvious his family always came first. Mr. James Hanis, age 58, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012. He will not only be missed by his family but by the entire community. James is survived by his wife of 38 years, Beth; sons, Eric Hanis, Jason (Fiance, Elena Kochergina) Hanis; brothers, Steven (Ruth) Hanis, George Hanis, Edward (Sharon) Hanis, David (Gail) Hanis, Albert Hanis, Arthur Hanis, Patrick Hanis; sisters, Jean (Ken) Scarborough, Diane Hanis; brother-in-law, David (Julie) Weller. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service Thursday, April 26, 2012, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel-Grand Haven with Pastor Steve Thompson officiating. Interment at Norton Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. MEMORIAL: Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story- Grand Haven