Roger Hannah

First and foremost, Roger Hannah was a family man: he loved his children equally and unconditionally, and many of his happiest moments in life involved the twenty-three years he spent with his darling wife. Roger had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to the many people he knew throughout his life.

1931 found most of the United States deep in the Great Depression. Many people were without jobs and life was very difficult. For Robert L. Hannah and his wife, Thelma J. (Babcock), of Kalamazoo, Michigan, they were among the lucky few. Robert earned a living as a car salesman, while his wife stayed home, preparing for the arrival of their second child. On October 15, 1931, son Roger Lee was born, to the delight of his parents and older brother Don.

Because of the nature of Robert’s job, the family moved around quite a bit during Roger’s childhood. Some of his fondest memories growing up were of the times he stayed with his grandparents, who lived in the Scottville area. Like many young boys, Roger spent his leisure time swimming in the river at Riverside Park as well as hunting and fishing. He and his cousin, Bob Urka, were pretty close and loved to pal around together. This close friendship continued throughout their lives.

After graduating high school, Roger enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, and proudly served as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to his family and worked with his father, selling cars in Cleveland, Ohio. It was during this time that Roger met and married Ruth Schram. The couple moved to Flushing, Michigan, near Flint, where Roger worked as a salesman for Sommerfield’s Chevrolet. In 1955, they became proud parents with the arrival of their son, Rick, who was later followed by Jeff, Bobby and Julie. By 1966, the family had moved back to the Scottville area and Roger took a job as sales manager for his cousin Bob at Urka Chevrolet. When not working, Roger enjoyed being a member of the Scottville Optimist Club and often volunteered to man the popcorn wagon during the Harvest Festival.

Unfortunately, in 1970, Roger and Ruth ended their marriage and divorced. However, some time later, Julie, Roger’s daughter, and her best friend Cindy, began devising a plan to get him and Cindy’s single mother, Carol, together. The two girls simply got them together in one place and left them alone, hoping for the best. Well, their plan worked – Roger asked Carol out for dinner and they have been together ever since. The couple was happily married on March 8, 1985, by the Rev. John Christensen at Cindy’s home.

Roger and Carol had a wonderful relationship. She had a way of bringing out the best in Roger, and he just simply adored his wife. His favorite place was wherever she was. The couple enjoyed spending time outdoors together, camping and fishing in Canada, and traveling all over this great country, visiting “warm” places like Florida, Arizona, Texas and Louisiana (just to name a few). More recently, they began attending craft shows, where they sold lawn ornaments and gazing balls. However, it wasn’t so much the monetary gain that drew them, it was the new friendships and camaraderie they enjoyed.

Roger was a “people person” in the truest sense of the word. He had a gift for gab and knew how to connect with people from all walks of life. This was especially useful in his job as a salesman. Roger became well known and truly respected in the auto sales industry throughout the state. As a sales manager, it was his responsibility to handle the dealer trades, auction sales, appraisals and getting used cars for Urka’s. This led him to know many dealers and make many good friends in the business. One of which was Roger’s best friend, Hugh Gannon. They would often travel together, finding broken down cars to purchase, which Hugh would then fix them up, and Roger would sell. They made a good team!

A true family man, Roger’s happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his wife and children. He and Carol lived on Sauble River with 4 cottages, which all the kids lived in at some point. Holidays were Roger’s favorite times of the year because it always brought his family together, which was important to him. As an excellent cook, he treated them to many great barbeques and his specialties, which included baked beans, meatloaf and hors d’oeuvres.

Roger was a fun-loving, reliable and trustworthy man. His friends and family respected him greatly, both of his strength of mind and his unconditional love. He served his country as a courageous solider, his community as a respected businessman, and his family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Roger Hannah will be deeply missed.

Roger L. Hannah died on Sunday, April 10, 2005, at Spectrum Hospital ~ Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Don. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 23 years, Carol Hannah; his children: Rick (Karen) Hannah of Ludington, Jeff (Tina Dougherty) Hannah of Grand Rapids, Bobby (Nancy) Hannah of Ludington, and Julie Hannah of Scottville; his stepchildren: Donna Shriver of Scottville, and Cindy Marker of Grand Rapids: his grandchildren: Michelle, Melissa and Joshua Hannah, Erica and Amy Schuitema, Misty (Jason) Osborn, Dustin Hannah, Bradley and Toni Sanford, Brittany, Jacob and Bridget Masse, Kyle and Kerri Klepser, Kody Shriver, Travis Bailey, and Monica Marker; 9 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law: Jackie Hannah of Detroit, and Linda Smith of Ludington; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Roger at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 15, at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. Burial will take place at North Victory Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Thursday, April 14, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit Roger’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory for his family, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Lakeshore Animal Friends or Our Wish.