Lawrence D. Hanner, 91, of Athens,,Illinois, formerly of Paris, Illinois, passed away on December 2, 2023, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home, Petersburg, Illinois. Cremation rights have been accorded and arrangements are being handled by Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home, Paris. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Larry was born in January 18, 1932, in Effingham, Illinois, to Floyd "Dutch" and Gladys Svenson Hanner. He married Sandra J. Stanfield, whom he lovingly referred to as "Toad," on December 17, 1976, in Dwight, Illinois. They remained married until Sandy's passing in September 2020.

Larry graduated from Elkhart High School, Elkhart, Illinois, in 1950. He attended Missouri Valley College where he played basketball and graduated with a Bachelors of Education in 1954. He earned a Master of Education degree in 1960 from Illinois State University and completed an Advanced Studies Degree in 1970 at Kansas University. Larry worked his entire career in education, retiring as Superintendent of Schools in the Kansas, Illinois, School District.

Larry entered the US Marine Corps in 1954 and was discharged in 1956 with the rank of Captain. He was a member of the American Legion Post 211 in Paris where he was an honor guard member and later the American Legion Menard County Post 129. In June 2019,, Larry took part in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington DC with his son Robb and other veterans from Central Illinois.

Larry was a 50-year member of the Edgar County Ansar Shrine Club and a member of the Ararat Scooter Corps.

Larry and Sandy settled in Paris, Illinois, where they made their home on the lake and enjoyed their many years there with numerous dear friends. They remained in Paris until 2014, when they relocated to Athens to be closer to family upon the onset of Sandy's illness. Larry enjoyed playing golf and drinking coffee and solving the world's problems with his friends, whether at R & J's in Paris or Hardee's in Petersburg. He especially enjoyed spending time with "Toad" on their various adventures shopping at flea markets for antiques or anything else that caught their eye, traveling to various Civil War battlefields or going out for Mexican food with friends. They particularly enjoyed a trip to Alaska. He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears, Fighting Illini basketball and the Athens Warriors. He could often be found enjoying breakfast at local restaurants visiting with his regular waitresses and other diners.

Larry is survived by his children: Lisa Hanner (fiancé Jon Ellis) of Edwardsville, Illinois, and Robb Hanner (wife Laura) of Athens; grandchildren Brittany Broadwater, Maggie Black and Nick Hanner; brother, Wayne Hanner of Elkhart; nieces Dianne (Lyle) Fout, Boo Hanner, Cheri (Nubs) Gieseke and Terri Jean; and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Sandy, his parents, sister-in-law Kay Hanner, nephew Wayne "Nick" Hanner, Jr. and great-niece Michelle Conrady-Brown.

The family would like to thank the staff at Memorial Medical Center. Further, they extend their deepest heartfelt thank you to the staff at Sunny Acres for their exceptional care and friendship they shared Larry during the time he and Sandy were under their care.

Memorials may be made to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, Illinois 62703, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.

For more information and online condolences please visit www.stewartandcarrollfuneralhome.com