LaVerne Carl Hanselman

LaVerne C. Hanselman, age 90, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 at his home in Ruth. He was born on October 16, 1926 on a farm in Delaware Township, Palms, Michigan to the late Armean and Louise (Isler) Hanselman. He sailed on Great Lakes cargo ships for two years before being drafted into the U. S. Army, March 1945. His basic training was at Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was deployed via ship to Nagasaki Japan as part of the U. S. post war occupation forces where he was part of the Heavy Auto Maintenance Company #3607. While stationed there, Laverne traveled with other soldiers to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb sites to view the destruction firsthand. After his discharge from the army at age 20, he went to Detroit and completed a six-week course with Ford Motor Company in auto maintenance. After completing the course, he returned to the Thumb and worked for a car dealership. On July 1, 1948 he started work at Ruth Farmers Elevator, Machinery Division, where he retired from at age 65, after 43 years of dedicated service. On November 8, 1952 LaVerne and Regina (Jean) were married at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Forestville. They built a house in Ruth in 1955, where they have lived ever since. LaVerne was actively involved in his church and community. He joined the Sherman Township Fire Department in 1955, served as Fire Chief for 16 years, and retired after 48 years of service. He was a member of St. Peter and Paul Church (now Holy Apostles Parish) in Ruth. As a member of the church, he was an usher for 34 years, served as a lay minister, and was active with the Ruth Knights of Columbus. In his community, he was involved with V.F.W. Post #5740, Huron County Council of Aging, and Triad Organization of Huron County. LaVerne and Jean enjoyed dancing. In 1960 they joined the Country Western Square Dance Club where they remained active members for over 50 years. They also enjoyed Senior Dance Club dances in Bad Axe and Sandusky. LaVerne and Jean were avid campers with their children and later on they camped for many weekend square dances throughout the State. They enjoyed playing cards, both formally in card groups and informally with family and friends. Laverne's wife and children will always remember him for his story telling, steady calmness, and general good cheer. He was always willing to help others as evidenced, for example, by the many times farmers stopped by the house after hours asking him to get them needed farm equipment parts from the Elevator. LaVerne is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Regina “Jeanie” (Clor) Hanselman; four children, Marjorie Cook (Myron), Duane Hanselmen (Deb), Barbara Malcolm (Tom) and Ren Hanselman, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Melvin and Earl. LaVerne was the love of Jean’s life and he will be greatly missed by all of his family. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 am Tuesday, May 30 at Holy Apostles Parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Ruth. Rev. Donald Eppenbrock will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Monday from 2:00-8:00 pm and Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 am at Sts. Peter & Paul Church only. There will be a Knights of Columbus rosary Monday evening at 6:30 pm and parish vigil service at 7:00 pm. Both services will be at the funeral home. Those wishing to remember LaVerne in a special way may make donations to Holy Apostles Parish or to hospice care.