James Paul Hanenburg

June 30, 1932 – January 12, 2025

James Hanenburg, 92, Cicero, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his home.

James Paul Hanenburg was born on June 30, 1932, in Rudyard, Mich., to Rev. John Hanenburg and Bertha Mouw Hanenburg. He grew up in Michigan, South Dakota, and Iowa. After graduating from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa, his family moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he met his wife. On September 15, 1953, he married Henrietta (Reta) Haarsma in a ceremony performed by Jim’s father – a moment made all the more memorable by the fact that Jim’s draft notice had just arrived and was tucked into the back pocket of his father’s pants. It wasn’t until after the honeymoon that Jim learned his draft notice had been kept from him that day.

Jim served in the Army from October 1953 to October 1955. Following his military service, Jim pursued his studies where he earned an associate’s degree from Milwaukee School of Engineering while beginning a family with Reta. Together, they raised their four children, John, Elizabeth, Judith, and Barbara, in a loving Christian home.

As a husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jim leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and devotion to Christ. He sold trucks for GMC for approximately 14 years. After selling vehicles he fulfilled his passion for nature by creating Nu-Way Tree Moving Inc. which included all things trees and moving large trees all year round.

Outside of work, Jim enjoyed pheasant hunting in Iowa, fishing in Canada, researching the canals in Indiana, and the history of cemeteries in Hamilton Country. He also loved researching all things Indianapolis and had read all volumes of The Diary of Calvin Fletcher more than once.

Jim is survived by his children, John Hanenburg of Cicero, Elizabeth Frederick of Centennial, Colo., and Barbara (Steven) Runyon of Noblesville; his grandchildren, Christina (David) Pruitt of Castle Rock, Colo., Steven (Hannah) Frederick of Denver, Colo., Andrew (Nikki) Frederick of Fitchburg, Mass., and Marlee (Jake) Light of Noblesville; three great-grandchildren, Alexandria Pruitt, Sophia Pruitt, and Molly Frederick; and his brother Theodore (Netty) Hanenburg of St. Louis, Mo.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Reta, daughter Judith, and one brother and three sisters.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Hartley Funeral Homes, 209 W. Jackson St., Cicero, with Pastor Austin Reifel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good News Ministries (goodnewsministries.com/donate).

Jim will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man of God. His legacy of love, kindness, and his love of cars will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Condolences: hartleyfuneralhomes.com