In Memory

Gary Hanshaw

 

Gary Hanshaw

Gary Hanshaw, 68, passed away Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, and on to his next adventure, at his home in Winfield with loved ones beside him.

He was born Oct. 26, 1954 in Arkansas City, to Robert and Elaine (Merry) Hanshaw.

Services are at 2 p.m. Friday, March 3 at the Winfield Veterans Cemetery. Masonic services will be provided by Winfield Lodge 110. Military honors will be provided by the Kansas National Honor Guard.

Flowers can be sent to the Veterans Cemetery. Donations in his name can be sent to Gentiva Hospice or the Cancer Center of Kansas, both in Winfield. The staff at both vocations gave the finest care to Gary and his family.

Gary enlisted in the Army at the age of 17. He held many positions in the Army and Army National Guard, such as senior readiness NCO and master paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He completed 173 jumps while trying to get over his fear of heights. He loved the freedom of floating so much, he was able to convince his wife to skydive with him once. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a soldier in being deployed three times while in the KS ARNG, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He retired from KS ARNG in October 2014. He received many awards during his service, among them a Bronze Star and a de Fleury medal.

Gary had a strong moral conviction to do what was right. He believed in our American flag and what it stood for. He believed in honor and truth, was spiritual, beat his own drum, listened rather than talked. He relished riding motorcycles, watching fireworks, and reading his collection of Louis L’Amour westerns while eating popcorn and leaving buttery fingerprints on their pages. He was loyal to his soldiers, friends and family. Gary didn’t think family had to be blood-related. He was an uncle to the children of his lifelong friends, Evert Green and Lonnie Finney.

Gary married Heidi (Steiner) on May 21, 2011. He was the stepfather to Heidi’s two children, but he never let the “step” get in the way of being a wonderful father or grandfather. Papa Gary loved and enjoyed his three grandchildren. They learned life lessons from a patient, wise and caring man.

Gary went through two cancers, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lung. As far as his family is concerned, Gary won the battle against cancer every time he laughed, played with his grandkids, took his dogs out in the country for a run, went to coffee with a friend, or spent time with his wife and family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda; and brother, David.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi, of Winfield; children, Kristen (Neil) Peddle, of Park City, and CJ Steiner, of Arkansas City; grandchildren, Noah, Julie, and Callum; sister, Kathleen Ramsey, of Winfield; an aunt; cousins; nieces; nephews; great-nieces; great-nephews; and many other family and friends.