Mr. Paul Wayne Hankinson, age 74, of Patriot, Indiana, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021, at his residence. Paul was born on August 18, 1946 in Milan, Indiana. He was raised in Switzerland County and was the son of the late John Paul “John Hank” and Nadine (Whitham) Hankinson. Paul graduated in 1964 from Patriot High School and was inducted into the United States Air Force on August 14, 1964 in Louisville, Kentucky and left for basic training in Texas in August 1964. Paul was united in marriage on November 6, 1964 to Sherry Mayfield and this union was blessed with two children, Dale and Shelley. Paul left for Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 1964 and was a water and waste specialist. He received the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged with the rank of Airman First Class on August 13, 1968 at the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1973, Paul bought a farm in Patriot, Indiana where he resided until his passing. He drove a truck for National for several years and later was employed as a school bus driver for the Switzerland County School System for several years. Paul was later united in marriage to Deborah Kay Roberts on June 6, 1981 at the Quercus Grove United Methodist Church. This happy blended family was blessed with four children, Lori, Dustin, Derek and Samantha. Paul enjoyed farming and raised tobacco, hay, corn, pigs and cattle. Paul joined Millwright Local No.1036 of Greenwood, Indiana (Union Local No.1076) where he was a member for several years. Paul bought a few horses with his sister, Darlene whom was a jockey and trainer and loved attending the River Downs and Latonia Racetracks. Paul was a member of the Rising Sun American Legion Post #59 and was a former member of the Vevay VFW Post #5396. Paul enjoyed golfing, spending time with his friends at the American Legion where he loved playing cards and pull tabs, telling and playing jokes and making people laugh. He also enjoyed collecting knives, coins and everyone’s lighters. Most of all, Paul loved spending time with his family and friends and enjoyed having his annual hog roast for the Royal Order of Rednecks of Patriot. He also loved spending time with his siblings and attending the family reunions.
Paul will be deeply missed by his wife, Deborah Kay “Debbie” (Roberts) Hankinson of Patriot, IN; his children, Paul “Dale” Hankinson and his fiancée, Cammy Brewer of Milton, KY, Shelley Turner and her husband, Rick of Nabb, IN, Lori Sainz and her husband, Scott of Bennington, IN, Dustin Hankinson of Patriot, IN and Samantha Hankinson and her companion, Robbie Miller of Patriot, IN; his grandchildren, Jason, Holly, Autumn, Austin, Hannah, Dalton, Bailey, Hailey, Audrey, Bradley, Brayden and Brenden; his great-grandchildren, Bryson, Gabriel, Axel and Colt, whom is expected anytime; his siblings, John Grant Hankinson and his wife, Debi of East Enterprise, IN. Ed Francis Hankinson and his wife, Jan of Kingdom City, MO, Kenneth Lee Hankinson of Quercus Grove, IN, Darlene Green of Fairland, IN and Dana Kay Meisberger and her husband, Mike of Quercus Grove, IN and his numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Derek Wayne Hankinson, died September 13, 1981; his parents, John Paul “John Hank” Hankinson, died July 7, 2001 and Nadine (Whitham) Hankinson, died February 13, 2017 and his brother, Hubert Dale Hankinson, died June 26, 1956.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 13, 2021, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Rising Sun American Legion Post #59 in the New Liberty Cemetery, East Enterprise, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Liberty Cemetery Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com