Obituary of John A. Hanebrink

John A. Hanebrink, age 84, of Centennial, CO, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023.  He was born on May 19, 1939 in Missouri, the son of Mary (Hawkins) and Joseph A. Hanebrink. 

You may know me best for my sense of humor and that little glint in my eye when I think I’ve pulled one over on you.

I am the third of four children and am so glad we’re together today.  That tradition has brought us together year after year from Baltimore, Kansas, Colorado and Texas-welcome Betty, her daughter, Sandy, Ednamee and Joe with his wife Bennie.

Our parents, Joseph and Mary Hanebrink, surrounded us with family get-togethers, lots of food and games to be enjoyed by all.

I met my wife, Echo Poe, when she was only 14 years old and soon she was welcomed into the family gatherings and learning all the games that kept us bonded.

My Dad owned the local newspaper, The Cabool Enterprise, and taught me all about the printing business, which led me to earn a degree in lithography in Okmulgee, OK.

I joined the Army in January 1962.  After marrying Echo on June 15, 1963, she moved to Colorado Springs with me. We lived there until I finished my tour in December 1964.

We then moved to California and added two sons to the family: Timothy Arthur, born August 27, 1965, and Michael John, born July 18, 1967.

After 10 years of daily commutes to downtown Los Angeles, I longed to get back to Missouri and moved us to St. Louis in 1974.

Then Echo got the opportunity to return to Colorado in late 1983 with the divestiture of AT&T and we have happily called it home for almost 40 years.

Grandkids Chase and Eli, Julie and Stephanie, and Great Grandkids Tyler, Lizzie, Douglas and Marie are with us today.

A fond memory is of going to Mexico with my son Timothy and his two sons, Chase and Eli, to build a home for a family in need.  It was amazing that what could be done in a few days was life changing for them.

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a young child and have been active in the Christian Church my whole life.  Even while struggling with this thing called dementia, I enjoyed going with me Bible study group to The Ronald McDonald House, serving food to families staying there while their kids were in the Children’s Hospital.

God is good and has always been with me through the good and the bad.  I struggle now, not knowing exactly what is going on.  I see you and smile.  And wonder.

I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds.  Look for me in the people I’ve known, and if you cannot give me away, at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.  You can love me best by letting hands touch hands and by letting go of children who need to be free.  Love doesn’t die, people do.  So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.

Thank you for sharing time with me today.  We will meet again in Heaven with a new body and the joy of being with Jesus.

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