FRANCIS JUNIOR “SNOWBALL” HANKS

    Francis Junior Hanks was bom to Otis and Dorothy {Combs} Hanks on March 4,1934 in Redding, Iowa and passed away August 20,2014 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He acquired the nickname “Snowball” as a tow headed youngster and it became the name by which everyone knew him. He attended school in Redding and graduated with the class of 1954. He served In the U.S, Army from 1956 to 1958. As a teenager he began working for area farmers and made this his life’s work. Snowball spent a majority of those years helping the Jeanes family.
    He had a gift for making friends wherever he went, whether it was playing cards in Grant City, working the gate at the Allendale Rodeo or one of the many activities in Redding. Snowball was on the Redding city council from 1985 to the present. The Redding community was truly his family and he cared deeply for his friends and neighbors. With a twinkle in his eye and a deep belly laugh, he was a special favorite with the staff and residents at Clearview during his three stays there. He lived his life accepting things as they were and making the best of each day without complaint
    Snowball was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, sister, Ilene and brother, James. He is survived by brothers Robert and Lawrence, sister, Maudle Louise Hanks, sister-in-law Jean Hanks, nephew, Phillip Hanks and a multitude of friends.
    His example to us is that happiness is a choice and we are all blessed for having known him.
    Funeral services were, August 25, 2014 at the Prugh Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri with burial at the Fairview southwest of Redding, Iowa.