Note: When Mark and I started The Joseph Group in 1999, we reached out to 20 couples that I had been assisting at the advisory firm where I had been working – inviting them to become clients of our firm. All of them said yes but it was John and Judy Hansel that returned the client paperwork back to us first! How thankful we are for the trust they placed in us and how special John and Judy became to us. John died on May 8th at the age of 91 and we join his family in celebrating his remarkable life and his homecoming in heaven! Below are excerpts from his obituary as told by his son, John E. Hansel, Jr. As I reflect on our mission to help our clients live great lives, I see in John a remarkably great life – a life of faith, love and service. Enjoy getting to know this very special man and be inspired by his life of great purpose and impact. You’ll like the pictures as well! – Matt
With Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh
Dad traveled to his home in heaven to be with his Lord on Monday, May 8th, 2023. His oldest son had the privilege of being with his dad as he passed through the “shadow of death.” Dad was born at White Cross Hospital, Columbus, Ohio on July 31st, 1931. His sister, Mary Ann Zipfel survives him.
Dad attended The Ohio State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1953. He served his country as a captain in the Air Force, stationed in Alaska at “The Listening Station.” John and his wife Judy were married in 1958. They were to celebrate their 65th anniversary this July. As parents, they enjoyed raising four boys, were grandparents to eleven children, and great-grandparents to five.
First Day Working for Medical Protective
Upon return from his military service Dad entered insurance sales for The Medical Protective Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, selling liability insurance to doctors and dentists around the country, He stayed with the company his entire career and made many friends along the way, retiring in 1996.
Dad was a dedicated community servant all his life. He was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served as their National Section Chief. He was President of The Upper Arlington Civic Association, a favorite football coach to many kids and served as the pee wee football commissioner for many years. John was a board member and eventually president (1982) of the Athletic Club of Columbus (ACC) and there was a steering committee member of the local Touchdown Club which hosted an annual celebration of star college and NFL players. At the ACC, dad and his best buddy, Bob Holub, were consistent doubles handball champions.
He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Worthington Christian Schools; served for many years as a member of the Upper Arlington Zoning Committee; was an Armed Forces Recruiter until 2007; a “Red Coat” usher at Ohio Stadium for the football season; and an OSU Track and Field Official until 1982. He was proud of his perfect attendance as an Upper Arlington Rotarian for which he served as President. Dad did prison visitation regularly to share his faith in Christ with inmates and was also proud to be a founder and elder of The Upper Arlington Grace Brethren Church on Kenny Road where he initiated “The Friday Morning Bible Study” which continues to meet.
Those who know dad know that his greatest gift was trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior when he went forward at the Billy Graham Crusade in Columbus Jets baseball stadium on July 14th, 1964. Until moving to Upper Arlington Grace Brethren, he and Judy were members at Grace Brethren Church on Worthington Galena Road where the Senior Pastor, Jim Custer, became one of his best friends. All of us in dad’s family can personally attest to his constant growth in faith and love for Christ throughout his life. We believe dad has already heard from Christ the statement for which he consistently lived… “Well done my good and faithful servant,” Thank you Dad for your life as a humble and gentle man of with a growing faith and love.
Dad is preceded in death by his mother and father, John Arthur and Mary Katherine (Hecker) Hansel and his youngest son Joshua Talbut Hansel. He is survived by his wife Judith, three sons and their wives: Jayson and Lisa, Jeff and Laurie, Johnny and Susie; grandchildren (in order of birth)… Karie (Hansel) and Sam Coachman, Annie (Hansel) and Jerry Robinson, Alexys Hansel, JT, Kelsey (Hansel) and Chris Winand, Elizabeth Hansel, Megan (Hansel) and Hans Aschinger, Jacob and Molly Hansel, Gabriel Hansel, Abby (Hansel) and Vernon Nelson, and Zack Hansel; as well as great grandchildren Nora and Penny Winand, Theodore Coachman, and Sammy Jo and Lou James Aschinger; his sister Mary Ann Zipfel, his nephew Tom Zipfel (Beverly), and his niece Darrelyn (Zipfel) and Dave Kowalczyk.
(One last thing, anyone who knew dad understands why he was made President of “W.E.S.T.,” the World of Extremely Slow Talkers club!)