Bennie L. Hanus

Bennie L. Hanus, born August 19, 1925 to Joseph and Annie Hanus in Shiner, Texas, passed away February 26, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Mr. Hanus was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo, Kasper, Joseph, and Eugene, and sisters, Vlasta Rigamonti and Ella Pekar. He is survived by his beloved wife, Leona (Knapik) Hanus; sons, David of Greenville, South Carolina, John of Houston, Texas, Larry of Carrollton, Texas, and Bernie of Houston, Texas; daughter, Stephanie Zicherman of Midland, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Nolan, Aiden, Will, Ann Marie, Megan, Michael, and James; sisters, Deloris Lawrence and Earlene Brennan, other family and friends.

Bennie was drafted out of his senior year of high school during WWII and served in the Coast Guard aboard the Destroyer Escort USS Chambers, safeguarding the sea lanes for the convoys carrying men and material bound for the war in Europe. He worked at Hughes Tool Company for over forty years after his military service.

Bennie loved spending time beautifying the church grounds of St. Ambrose during his retirement years and was elected “Mayor of Georgi Lane” by his children for all the landscaping he did on this street leading to the church. He loved to sing and was a tenor in the St. Ambrose Choir for many years and a member of the St. Ambrose Men’s Club during his 42 years as a parishioner there. Bennie was a talented dancer and was especially graceful at the waltz with his wife, Leona, the perfect partner.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2014 in the Chapel of Heights Funeral Home, where a rosary and vigil service will begin at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2014 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Road, Houston, Texas 77092. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Houston, Texas.