John M. Hankins, one of Berrien Springs oldest residents passed away suddenly about 3 o'clock last Friday morning the immediate cause of his death being heart trouble.

Although not in the best of health for some time, he had apparently been as well as usual the day before. Mrs. Hankins was awakened in the early morning about 3:00 o'clock by a disturbance in his room where she found him in a partially helpless condition and immediately summoned a physician, but before he could arrive Mr. Hankins had passed away.

The deceased was 83 years, 10 months and 27 days old, having been born in Ohio Aug. 27, 1833. He came to Michigan with his parents when but a youth, working in the Dowagiac shops until the war broke out when he enlisted with the 24th Mich. Infantry. Since his return he has resided most his life in and near Berrien Springs, about 5 years being spent in St. Joseph.

Mr. Hankins was married three times, being survived by a widow and three sons and two daughters by his first marriage: Chas. H. of Berrien Springs, Wm. A. of Kalamazoo, Richard of Forest Park, Ill., Mrs. Sarah L. Kenn and Mrs. Carrie V. Tuegle of Maywood, Ill. Five sisters, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren still survive.

After a short prayer service at his late home the body was taken to Royalton church where funeral services were conducted at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon by Rev. F.B. Parker. Interment was at North Royalton cemetery in charge of Western Star Lodge F. & A.M. of which deceased was a member. J. I. Gorham delivering the address.

Mr. Hankins had been a member of the Masonic lodge for over 60 years and was also a valued member of the G.A.R., while the large attendance and beautiful floral offerings at the funeral were testimony of the high esteem in which he was held in the community.
Obituary 27 JUN 1917 MI, Emmet Co, Petoskey.

*John's first wife was Lucinda. She died in LaPorte County, Indiana shortly after their marriage. Per Chris (#46940591)