John H. Hankel Obituary

John H. Hankel, age 98, was taken to his eternal home in heaven on October 20, 2023. John was born in 1925 to Henry and Emma (Detlefsen) Hankel in Tacoma, WA. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Tacoma where he was a life-long member.

John graduated from Stadium High School and joined the United States Navy in 1943, serving for 3 years, with an honorable discharge in April of 1946.

In 1948, John married Imogene Brinson at Zion Lutheran Church. They enjoyed 69 years of wedded life together, having made their home in University Place. John was employed by Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone for 35 years, where he started as a lineman and retired as the construction manager.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene, in 2017, as well as his parents and brother, Robert. John is survived by his nephew, Johnny Hankel of Florida; three grandnieces and their families; a close friend, Ed Van Gorder of University Place; and members of his faith family at Zion Lutheran.