Donald Jean Hanle

Donald Jean Hanle passed peacefully surrounded by his family on 25 June 2024.  Born in Karnak, Illinois on 29 September 1931, Don was an Air Force veteran who met his wife Dorothy while stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. Upon returning from an assignment in England, Don left the Air Force and moved his family to Miami, Florida, where he began a very successful 35-year career in the Insurance industry.  Very active in the church, he led church renewal missions for over 50 years around the world – to include Australia and India. Don learned to fly while living in Columbia, South Carolina – a boyhood dream he passed on to both his sons.  Upon retiring in 1993, Don moved to East Tennessee to be closer to his daughter and grandsons.  He is well known for bringing joy and laughter to any room he entered, and his greatest loves were for his wife Dorothy, his family and friends, and most especially his Lord, Jesus.  Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy, his son Don and daughter-in-love Rani, his son Dan and daughter-in-love Carolyn, his daughter Deanna and son-in-love, Rick Shepard, and his four grandchildren Donny, Elizabeth, Spencer, and Caleb, and five great grandchildren – with one more on the way. A Celebration of Don's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 29, 2024 at East Maryville Baptist Church located at 1150 Brown School Road, Maryville, TN 37804. Please make donations to East Maryville Baptist Church in lieu of flowers.