in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Robert Hanes
Robert M. “Bob” Hanes was born Aug. 29, 1932, to Millard E. and Velma (Mize) Hanes in Emporia, Kansas.
Following a childhood spent in Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, California, and Arkansas, Bob settled with his family in Florence, Kansas, where he graduated from Florence High School in 1951.
After graduation, he returned to Arkansas and reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Betty Lou Efird. Following a brief romance, they were married July 28, 1951. To this marriage three children were born: Deborah in 1953; Robert Neal in 1954; and Phillip in 1970.
Bob was employed by Santa Fe Railroad for more than 35 years before his retirement in 1988. He enjoyed his work in the bridges and building division, rising to assistant general foreman and accumulating many friends and much railroad memorabilia. He also worked at a grain elevator and gas stations.
Bob’s other passions, indulged most fully in retirement, included freshwater fishing, travel, gardening, woodworking, and teaching his grandchildren to be half the billiards player he was. He served a term on Florence City Council and was a grand marshal for the Labor Day parade.
Bob had several health challenges in his later years, including heart bypass surgery, colorectal cancer, and dementia. Since March 2017 he had been residing at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He passed away at Parkside on Jan. 19, 2018, surrounded by family.
His parents, two brothers, and a sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty, of Florence; children, Deborah Hanes-Nelson and husband, Doug, of Centralia; Neal Hanes and wife, Eva, of Peabody; and Phillip and Stan Smith-Hanes of Ellis; brothers, Larry and wife, Peggy, and R.K. “Bud” and wife, LeEsta, both of Newton; sister, Carolyn Skinner of Joplin, Missouri; grandchildren Laura Ashmore and husband, Darrin, of Chanute; Mattie King and husband, Lucas, of Woodland Park, Colorado; Molly Graversen and husband, Lyle, of Valley Center; Jenny Schnakenberg and fiancé, Tyler Sherman, of Colorado Springs; Dustin Hanes and wife, Britney, of Haxton, Colorado; Micah Nelson and wife, Margaret, of Hurlburt Air Force Base, Florida; and Cody Yaworsky and wife, Caitlin, of Sussex, New Jersey; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence.
A memorial has been established with the Harvey House in Florence in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St, Marion KS 66861