Edward C. Hanna, remembered as both a committed worker and a man devoted to family, concluded his earthly journey on December 14, 2025, at Manor Court in Peoria. He was 86 years old. He entered the world on August 9, 1939, in Spring Grove Township, Warren County, born to Ed and Lauretta (O’Connor) Hanna.
Raised in the traditions of rural Illinois, he carried forward the values of persistence and discipline. After completing his studies at Alexis High School in 1957, he began a lifetime of service and accomplishment. The city of Peoria now honors the enduring impact of someone who connected the simplicity of small-town life with wider professional and personal horizons.
Hanna’s professional journey started at the Illinois Department of Transportation, where he spent four years contributing to the state’s infrastructure. In January 1965, he advanced his education at the University of Illinois, combining academic pursuit with career development. This preparation led him to a distinguished 42-year career as project manager at R.A. Cullinan and Sons in Tremont, Illinois, a role he held until his retirement.
Retirement opened new opportunities for him. He relocated to South Carolina for four years, where he immersed himself in golf, relishing both the competitive aspects of the game and the friendships it fostered. Later, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as a cashier at Target, warmly engaging with customers in a position that highlighted his approachable character. In 2019, he returned to Illinois, reestablishing himself in familiar surroundings and reconnecting with his roots.
His way of living combined professional dedication with leisure activities. Golf provided him not only relaxation but also strategic enjoyment, while retirement offered social fulfillment. His relocations across different states reflected flexibility and a desire for diverse experiences, balancing southern landscapes with northern familiarity. In his later years at Manor Court in Peoria, he emphasized health and community, reflecting on a career and life filled with meaning and independence.
He leaves behind stepchildren Kerry (Debi), Heidi, and Andrew Grossweiller, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, his brother John T. Hanna, sisters Patricia Rosenbalm, Joan (Randy) McClure, and Kathleen Geiger, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on December 19, 2025, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Peoria, with visitation beforehand. The service will be led by Fr. James Pankiewicz, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexis.
Edward C. Hanna’s life was distinguished by academic achievement at the University of Illinois, decades of leadership at R.A. Cullinan and Sons, enjoyment of golf during retirement, and deep devotion to his extended family. His example continues to inspire through his perseverance, adaptability, and warmth in relationships. As his community reflects on his memory, they are reminded of the enduring importance of diligence, recreation, and strong family bonds within the shared traditions of central Illinois.
