Jack Wesley Haneline

Date of Birth

Jan 17,1927

Date of Death

Jan 22,2017

Jack Wesley Haneline was born January 17, 1927 in Willow Branch, Illinois, the son of Homer Wesley and Ruth Laverne (Cutchin) Haneline. The early years were particularly difficult for Jack—with the passing of his mother at the tender age of just 17 months old. With four children to raise alone, his father gave in to allowing two of his children to live with other family. His sister Doris, six years older, became his constant companion creating a lasting bond.

The times were such that it was difficult to stay in school. Jack’s formal schooling ended in the early elementary years. The family moved from farm to farm or wherever there was work, finally settling on a 160 acre farm in Windsor, Illinois.

At 18 years of age in 1945, a not-so-subtle encounter in Findlay, IL—he pulled his truck across the sidewalk to block her passage—changed his life. On June 25, 1945, he married Ardith “Ardy” Ann Rhea, daughter of Gaylord & Eula Rhea. With only the attendants present, they said their vows at the Findlay Methodist Church. Though times were tough and they would eventually live with his parents for a time, they were happy times on the farm, working side by side. When it became apparent they would need to move on, Ardy moved back home while Jack traveled to seek work in the Joliet/Lemont area. With only weekend visits, Jack worked extra hard (living in a chicken coop for a time) to provide for his growing family all in an effort to get the family back together under one roof.

Jack and Ardy began their family in 1951 and were blessed with three daughters—Carol, Jan and Angela. While they moved their young family to Lemont, Palatine and eventually to their first house (The House That Jack Built) in Northbrook, Ardy tended to the needs of her family. Because Jack continued to work long hours, Ardy took care of most everything—cooking, cleaning, lawn work, minor repairs and anything she could to assist Jack’s work as well. She became well known in local building departments submitting building permits and meeting local inspectors.
It was rare to see either Jack or Ardy without the other. Construction work followed by retirement in Florida and commercial fishing adventures (Ardy was co-captain) kept them working together. Their flea market stall selling frames and imported oil paintings displayed a perfect blend of their sparkling personalities. And when Jack suffered a stroke in 1996, she nurtured and attended to his needs. Through their side-by-side efforts and hard work, Jack would eventually become mostly self-sufficient—so much so that he became her caregiver in her time of need.

In the 10 years following Ardy’s passing (January 25, 2007), Jack maintained the mantra, “It’s hard, but I am handling it.” He said it so often, that he did handle it with seldom a spoken woe or complaint. Jack continued to live alone in their home in Sebring, Florida learning to do laundry, clean, cook and mow his 2+ acres. In fact, he mowed the lawn just days before his passing. While not able to drive a car, he did find a way to get where he needed. Riding either his trusty mower or golf cart, he made the rounds. He ran his MGM Mortgage business, continued to look for bargain houses that he could coordinate for remodel and kept his mind sharp by doing jigsaw puzzles.

Life became so much happier for him when his daughters, Angie (Russ) and then Jan moved nearby—from that day forward he had special attention and love. During these same 10 years, he was assisted by a special friend and caregiver, Rosie Huggins. They had their Monday routine of shopping, banking, breakfast at the Palm Diner and occasional trips to the coast for an afternoon of live music at Schucker’s in Fort Pierce on the Atlantic coast. His corner stool at the Caddy Shack (in true “Cheers” fashion) is where he met with others, made new friends and rounded out his days.

Jack will long be endeared for his strong work ethic, ingenuity and creative problem-solving skills, resilient spirit, fun-loving ways, pride in his family and his devotion to his one true love—his wife. You will be missed Captain Jack but never forgotten!

Jack is survived by daughters Carol (Page) McCloud of Batavia, IL; Jan Mack of Sebring, FL; Angela (Russ) Garfield of Sebring, FL; and his six grandchildren Jack (Emily) McCloud of Westminster, CO; Scott (Nicole) McCloud of Geneva, IL; Chris (Scott) Wilke of Durand, IL; Diane (Erik) Larson of Brookfield, WI; Nicole (Mark) Stover of Lindenhurst, IL; Jamie (Bill) Manfouo of Queen Creek, AZ; Crystal (Craig) Young of Tucson, AZ; and 12 great-grandchildren Josie & Brooks McCloud of Westminster, CO; Scottie & Mia McCloud of Geneva, IL; Brooke Wilke of Edwardsville, IL; Ryan Wilke of Durand, IL; Alec Byl of Chicago, IL; Emma Larson of Brookfield, WI; Cali & Grant Stover of Lindenhurst, IL; Kyla, Maison, Elsa Manfouo of Queen Creek, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Ruth, wife Ardy and sisters Pearl, Doris & Lucille.

Services are at Conley’s (conleycare@sbcglobal.net), 116 W. Pierce Street in Elburn, IL with visitation from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. with a celebration of Jack’s life beginning at 11:00. A family style luncheon will be held at Aquaviva Winery, 47W614 Route 38 in Maple Park, IL. A private burial at the Wright Cemetery in Findlay, IL will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 30.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to your local food pantry.

The service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017, also at Conley Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 10-11:00 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home.

There will be a graveside service on Monday, January 30, 2017, at 11:00 at Wright Cemetery, Findlay, IL.

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