Thomas Lee Hanson

Funeral Services for Thomas L. Hanson, 61 of Aledo, are Monday at 10:30 AM at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, Aledo. Burial will be in Peniel Cemetery, Joy, with Military Honors provided by the Mercer County VFW Post #1571. Visitation is Sunday from 2 to 7 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the College Avenue Presbyterian Church or an educational fund for his daughter. Tom died on Thursday, January 22, 2009 in Aledo. Thomas Lee was born on August 18, 1947 in Geneseo, Illinois the son of Elmer and Dorothy M. (Carnahan) Hanson. Tom was a graduate of Aledo High School. He then attended Ottawa College in Kansas, from where he was drafted to serve in the United States Army during Vietnam. Tom showed his leadership skills while enlisted, becoming leader of his platoon. He was a decorated veteran having received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and 2 Vietnam Bronze Service Stars among other citations. Tom and Carolyn Sheesley were united in marriage on August 22, 1971 in Cambridge, Illinois. Tom was currently serving his 5th term in the office of Mercer County Clerk, having been first elected in 1990. Earlier he had owned and operated Hanson True Value in Aledo, formerly Gambles, where he had worked since High School. Tom was a born leader from his youth to adulthood, but would not make a commitment to an organization unless he knew he could give it his all. He was president of many organizations including: Rock Island Association of Baptist Youth Foundation in high school; his high school class for 3 consecutive years; County Clerks Association in 1997 and the Illinois Association of County Officials in 2006. He was currently Chairman of the Board for the Aledo Senior Citizens Center. He was also a very devout active member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church, including Elder at church and a previous member of the First Baptist Church, Aledo. Tom had previously served on the Mercer County YMCA Board and was a member of the Mercer County VFW Post #1571; the Aledo Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #252 (formerly of Seaton Charity Lodge which merged with Aledo); Scottish Rite Consistory, Valley of Moline; Mohammed Shrine Temple of Peoria and the Aledo Shriners Parade Unit. Tom was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his fishing trips to Lake George in Minnesota with his cousins the Gustafson’s and Garrity’s. He also enjoyed golfing, gardening, and making stain-glass to share with his family and friends. He was well known for his “Marshmallow Shooters”, which he and his brother-in-law Don made to raise money for Relay for Life. Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include his wife, Carolyn; son Jeff of Aledo; two daughters, Cyndi Kilby and companion Mike Treimer of Wilton, IA and Katie Hanson at home; 2 granddaughters, Alyssa Kilby and Marissa Treimer. Also surviving are his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Diane & Steve Reason of Buffalo Prairie and Don & Jan Sheesley of East Moline; 4 nieces and nephews and many loving cousins and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronald Joe Hanson.