Dale E. Hankins |1930-2022|

Dale was a veteran of the Korean War and was honored to have been able to go on one of the Honor Flights to Washington DC to tour the monuments and meet Bob Dole.  That was a special highlight to be honored in such a manner for his service to our great Country.

Dale was well known in Hutchinson, Kansas for his Christmas display “Going to Grandma’s House” which he worked on tirelessly since his retirement always adding new items to the display.  In his declining years, he began using his daughter, Cheryl, to help keep everything running properly.  Cheryl learned how to change a bike chain and tire at 62 years of age while lying on her back in the snow.  It was with extreme disappointment that he had to give up the display several years ago due to his physical limitations and the lack of mechanical aptitude of his daughter.

Dale devoted his entire life to Boy Scouting.  He took over 15 50-mile backpacking trips with more than 225 scouts and their fathers to Emigrant Wilderness in California and Pikes Peak, Colorado financing a great deal of the trip with his own finances.  He was a mentor to many boys who have become extremely successful young men. He assisted and encouraged many boys to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Dale lived a long life of devotion to church, family and scouting.  He gave his all in everything he did.  His was a life well-lived and I’m sure when he reached the Heavenly gates he was rewarded with the words, well done my good and faithful servant.

Dale is survived by his daughter Cheryl Cox of the home who was his primary caregiver for many years enabling Dale to enjoy the comforts of his own home until his passage to his heavenly home.  He is also survived by two daughters, Connie Carson-Romano of Mokelumne Hill, CA and Carol Denlea (husband Tom) of Prosser, WA.  Dale has 5 grandchildren, Emily Haarsma and husband Chad, Justin Denlea, Tom Carson, Chris Carson and wife Mandy, and Crystal Carson. He has two great grandchildren, Alyssa Carson of Hutchinson, and Connor Carson-Gobbera of Sacramento, CA.  He also shared Cheryl’s two lovely dogs that brought great joy and laughter to his life in his later years, Snickerdoodle and Doodlebug.  They will miss their daily snacks with Grandpapa and all his love pats.

Dale lived a life well-lived and well-loved by many with his service to others as his primary goal.  While he will be missed terribly he is probably up in Heaven helping to design Christmas light shows or helping to rearrange the stars in a different manner.  I am so proud to have been his daughter and shall rejoice when we all meet again on those beautiful shores.

Visitation will be held at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson, KS.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.