Edward C. Hanna, a dedicated professional and family-oriented resident whose career spanned central Illinois and beyond, passed away on December 14, 2025, at Manor Court in Peoria at the age of 86.
Born on August 9, 1939, in Spring Grove Township, Warren County, to Ed and Lauretta (O’Connor) Hanna, he embodied the hardworking ethos of rural Illinois, graduating from Alexis High School in 1957 before embarking on a path of service and achievement. The Peoria community reflects on the steadfast contributions of a man whose life bridged small-town roots with broader horizons.
Hanna began his career with four years at the Illinois Department of Transportation, demonstrating early commitment to public infrastructure in the state. In January 1965, he pursued higher education at the University of Illinois, balancing studies with professional growth that prepared him for a long tenure as project manager at R.A. Cullinan and Sons in Tremont, Illinois, spanning 42 years until retirement. T
Upon retiring, Hanna embraced new chapters, relocating to South Carolina for four years where he indulged his passion for golf, enjoying the sport’s challenges and camaraderie on coastal courses. Seeking further engagement, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, working as a cashier at Target, interacting warmly with customers in a role that reflected his approachable nature. Returning to Illinois in 2019, he settled back in familiar surroundings, maintaining ties to his origins.
Hanna’s lifestyle blended professional diligence with recreational pursuits, finding relaxation in golf’s strategic play and the social aspects of retirement living. His moves across states showcased adaptability and a desire for varied experiences, from southern greens to northern familiarity, while prioritizing health and community in his later years at Manor Court in Peoria. This transitional phase allowed reflection on a fulfilling career and personal freedoms.
Survived by stepchildren Kerry (Debi), Heidi, and Andrew Grossweiller, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, brother John T. Hanna, sisters Patricia Rosenbalm, Joan (Randy) McClure, and Kathleen Geiger, along with several nieces and nephews, Hanna centered his world on extended familial bonds. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on December 19, 2025, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Peoria, with prior visitation, officiated by Fr. James Pankiewicz, followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexis.
Edward C. Hanna lived a life well lived, marked by educational pursuit at the University of Illinois, long-term project management at R.A. Cullinan and Sons, enjoyment of golf in retirement, and devoted connections to stepfamily and siblings across Illinois and beyond. His legacy endures in the reliable example he set through work and transitions, inspiring appreciation for perseverance and relational warmth. In this time of remembrance, his memory reinforces the value of hard work, leisure pursuits, and heartfelt ties within the shared experiences of central Illinois community life.