Harold Lee Hankes' Obituary
Big Rapids - Harold Lee Hankes, 78, of Big Rapids passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2014. He was born on January 25, 1936 in Aurora, Illinois; the son of Harry A. and Vivian Elizabeth (Stoner) Hankes. He married Fredda D. Bush on June 25, 1960. He taught airplane welding at Aero Mechanics High School at the Detroit City Airport from 1962-1970. He also completed his Master's Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1970. In 1972, he came to Ferris State University to teach Welding Technology and Metallurgy. He retired as a professor in 1990. He was a member of the American Welding Society and had acted as an expert witness for different court cases. Harold was an avid sportsman. He loved the river and antique cars. Harold is survived by Fredda, his wife of 54 years, 2 sons, Frederick Harry Hankes and Theodore Martin Hankes, 2 grandsons, Geoffery Andrew Hankes and Benjamin Luke Hankes and granddaughter in-law Angela Deschamp Hankes plus several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood. Arrangements are by the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
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