Donald Mathew Hanko

CHATHAM - Donald Mathew Hanko, 76, of Chatham, died at St. John's Hospital, Wednesday, July 27, 2011. He was born July 14, 1935 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to Herbert and Kathryn Hansberry Hanko. On August 4, 1962, he married Barbara Jean Lins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bob Hanko and Harold Hanko and granddaughter Brooke Yambor.

Mr. Hanko is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara; daughters Julie (Gary) Yambor of Homer Glen, IL, and Sarah (Robert) Carter of Littleton, Colorado; son, Tom (Tammy) Hanko, Fall Creek, Wisconsin; sister Mildred Borne of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Ethel Hanko of Arizona; five grandchildren, Christopher Yambor, Jack Yambor, Anya Carter, Anna Hanko, Grace Hanko, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hanko retired from the State of Illinois EPA in 2001 after 25 years as an Air Specialist Engineer. He previously worked for the city of Chicago's EPA. Mr. Hanko served in the United States Navy, in meteorology and was a member of the American Legion in Wisconsin and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham. As a young man, he attended University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Service: The family will greet friends at 9am, Monday, August 1, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 East Spruce Street, Chatham, until the beginning of the Funeral Mass at 10 am, with Fr. John Nolan as celebrant. All are invited to a luncheon at the church afterward. After the ceremonies, cremation rites will be accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham.