Edward Eugene "Butch" Hanna, 71, of Hillsboro died June 1, 2023, at his home. Mr. Hanna was a policeman with the Arnold Police Department from April 1977 to April 1997, serving as a patrolman and a detective. He was a member of the Jefferson County Drug Enforcement Task Unit. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a military police officer at Ft. Benning, Ga., from 1971 to 1973. He was treated to a free Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., to tour veterans memorials. He and his wife operated Klondike Kennels and raised rottweilers and German shepherds. Mr. Hanna loved working with wood and recently bought a sawmill he named Wood Elf Saw Mill and planned to sell lumber. He loved fishing, carpentry, cooking, going to auctions and helping others. He was known for his quirky sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. Born Oct. 13, 1951, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Eugene Edward Hanna and Mable Doris Ballard Hanna Finger.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years: Michelle Cobb; a son: Ben Hanna of Waterloo, Ill.; four siblings: Brenda (David) Rogers of Ethel, Mich., Edna Hanna of Steelville, Edith "Edie" Vowel of Philadelphia, Miss., and Sondra (Greg) Mischke of Steelville; two grandchildren: Alison Hanna and Madaline "Madi" Hanna, both of Waterloo, Ill.; his father-in-law: Dan Green of Steelville; two nieces: Kelly (Randy) Hartley of Humansville and Amber (Joe) Speeney of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and two cousins: Dan (Cindy) Ballard and Bobby Ballard. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Linda Green, Deborah "Debbie" Askoy and an infant sister; five uncles: Roy Allen Ballard, Jesse Ballard, Herbert Ballard, Guy Ballard and Hurbert Ballard; and two aunts: Nell (Liest) Ballard and Mary Catherine (Bird) Ballard.
Mr. Hanna chose to donate his body to the Genesis Legacy Whole Body Donation Foundation. A celebration of life is being planned for Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Hanna home.