Verdell "Ace" Joseph Hanson

Verdell Joseph Hanson, lovingly known as “Ace”, lived a life defined by service, family and craftsmanship.

Ace was born in the Sandwich Hospital in 1930 and lived in Newark before moving into Sandwich. He graduated from Sandwich High School in 1947, and attended Northern Illinois University for a year until he turned 18, when he joined the US Navy in 1948. 

He served five years in both the Pacific and Mediterranean fleet. Verdell served on the USS Southerland in the Pacific as well as the USS Macolm in the Mediterranean. While serving on the Macolm, Verdell was a member of the US Navy Sixth Fleet baseball Team and enjoyed playing baseball in several ports surrounding the Mediterranean.

Verdell Hanson and Jean Mueller were married in Sandwich in 1951. They lived in Sandwich and raised four children. Karen (Kent) Wesson of Leland, Kathy (Ed) Watts of Chicago, Micheal of Kasilof, Alaska, and Matt (Ginny) of Palatine.

Ace’s wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the best part of his life. His wife (Jean) resides in Sandwich. Surviving grandchildren are Jeff Kerr of Oswego, Sean (Mary) Watts, Natalie Watts and Jamie Watts of Chicago, Haley (Bart) Bonnivier of Algonquin and Nelson Hanson of Chicago. Great grandchildren Eli and Landon Kerr of Oswego and Avery Marie Watts of Chicago.

Ace was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Marville Hanson of Sandwich, his brother Lawrence (Ida), sister Bonnie (Royal) and younger brother Sherwood (Wanda).

After serving in the Navy, Ace worked at Werner & Son’s from ’53 to ’59, and then started and managed Sherman and Hanson Hardware in Sandwich until ‘72. During this time Ace was a volunteer member of the Sandwich Fire Department and helped the community while forging lifelong friendships.

Ace had obtained his real estate brokers license and joined Brokers of the Midwest in the early 80’s and enjoyed the real estate business for over 20 years.

Ace was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and his hunting dogs. In the 60’s Ace and his black lab won several AKC field trial events in Illinois. He took family members as often as he could and taught several of his grandchildren how to fish and hunt. An avid golfer, he was a member of Edgebrook Country Club for over 20 years.

Ace was a prolific builder over his life and was involved with multiple projects ranging from common remodels to entire houses. He was a very capable carpenter, plumber and electrician and taught his sons the tricks of the trade.

Ace and Jean were married for 74 years – their love was always the center of the family. In his later years, even with the problems of age, they remained a great couple. Ace never lost his sense of humor. He was a great storyteller that made his family laugh, remembering life on the farm, his lifelong romance with Jean, and everyday things that he had strong opinions on.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. A visitation will be held at the Salem Lutheran Church, located at 1022 N Main Street in Sandwich, IL, between 9 and 11 AM on Tuesday, May 5th. A funeral service will be held at 11AM followed by lunch. Burial will be at 2PM at the Millington-Newark Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Salem Lutheran Church. For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com

Turner-Eighner Funeral Homes 

13160 W. Rt 34 ~ P.O. Box 404

Somonauk, IL 60552

815-498-2363