Robert Henry Hankner, the son of Henry John and Mary (Zander) Hankner, was born September 7, 1922 in Tripoli, Iowa.  He joined the First Congregational Church in Tripoli, in 1940.  He later became a member of Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli.  He graduated from TripoliHigh School in 1940.  He graduated from GatesBusinessCollege and attended IowaStateUniversity for a year.  Bob entered the United States Army in March of 1943.  He served in the 78^th Infantry Division outside of Schmidt, Germany for three years attaining the rank of Sergeant.  After his discharge, Bob was an accountant/bookkeeper for Ambrose Auto in Tripoli for forty-three years, retiring in 1987.  He also farmed west of Tripoli for many years.  Bob was united in marriage with Mary Jean Buechele.  She preceded him in death in 1978.

            Bob’s death occurred Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at PalmerLutheranHealthCenter in West Union, Iowa, after a short illness.  He was eighty-six years old.  Bob was a longtime member of Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli.  He was also a member of the Brandenburg-Krueger V.F.W. Post #4013 in Tripoli.  He enjoyed attending University of Iowa football games and bowl games; driving back roads while on vacation because interstate highways were “boring”; working around his farm; and reading and watching Western books and movies.

            Bob is survived by his son, Scott (Wendy) Hankner of Tripoli, Iowa; one sister, Phyllis Eichmann of Waverly, Iowa; three nephews, Mark Syverson in South Carolina; Dean Syverson of Lawrence, Kansas; and Max Ambrose of Tripoli, Iowa; and two nieces, Joy Busse of Waverly, Iowa; and Jean Ranard of Tripoli, Iowa.

            Bob was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and two sisters, Mildred Ambrose and Dorothy Syverson.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Faith United Church of Christ, Tripoli, Iowa conducted by Rev. Marilyn Sargent. Internment will be at FremontCemetery, rural Tripoli. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli.  Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Brandenburg – Krueger V.F.W. Post #4013, Tripoli, Iowa.