Arvilla Mae Hanner — of Clare, age 87, passed away peacefully following a courageous battle with cancer on January 26, 2017, surrounded by loving family, at the Florida Hospital in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Arvilla was born January 8, 1930 in Rosebush, Michigan, to James and Beulah Wixson. She was the second of twelve children: Frank, Donald, James ‘Junior,’ Georgina, Ruthann, John, Larry, Bob Arthur, Linda, Bonnie, and Clarence ‘Shorty.’ Arvilla attended school until she reached the twelfth grade, then she dropped out to get a job and to help her mother at home with her brothers and sisters. Arvilla was baptized at eleven years old at the Gilmore Church of Christ. She married Albert Milton Hanner November 1, 1947 at the Methodist Parsonage in Clare. In 1972 she went back to school and graduated with her GED. Arvilla worked as Assistant Manager of the Sav-Mor store on Pierson Road in Flint, and retired as a cook from the Carmen School District in Flint in 1980. After retirement she and husband Al moved from Flint back to Farwell where she continued to be active. Arvilla was a past President of the Woman’s Auxiliary VFW Post 3039, where she has served as Chaplain, Conductress, Junior Vice-President, and Senior Vice-President. In the Eastern Stars she was Worthy Matron twice, and served as Conductress. Arvilla was also past President of CGM (Clare, Gladwin, and Midland) District Association, where she served as Assisting Marshall and Marshall, and for many years served on the Farwell Labor Day Committee. She and Al spent spring and summers in Clare, and winters in Zephyrhills, Florida. Arvilla had a strong dedication to her family and always tried to always help out, in good times and bad. She could handle a crisis, and over the years she came through over and over again. With her children she’d use praise and encouraging words like, “You can do anything you set our mind to,” “Hard work pays dues,” or “Thinking about it won’t get it done—you have to do it.” She was smart, a problem solver, and expected a lot from people—because she gave that much of herself. She was happiest when she had something to do. She was an amazing cook and loved to feed people and to see them happy. On November 1, 2016, Arvilla and Al celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary. Arvilla is survived by her husband Albert Milton Hanner; children: Arnold Hanner, Albert (Jan) Hanner, Pamela (Jean) Hanner, and son-in-law John Goodell; 11 Grandchildren, and 16 Great-Grandchildren. Arvilla was preceded in death by her daughter Patty Goodell in 2013. A funeral will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at 1 PM at the Campbell–Stocking Funeral Home, 408 W. Main St., Farwell, MI, 48622. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, 2 PM – 8PM with an Eastern Star service at 6:30 PM; and again on Wednesday from 11AM until the time of service. Pastor Jim Young officiating. Memorial considerations to Eastern Stars Chapter 281 in Coleman. Memories and condolences to Arvilla’s family may be shared online at www.CampbellStocking.com. Arvilla was an amazing woman who will be dearly missed.
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