Dr. Harman Mitchell “Mitch” Hanna, Jr. was born September 19, 1946 in Lycoming County Pennsylvania and departed this life on June 20, 2021 at John Knox Village Hospice at the age of 74 years, 9 months and 1 day.
He was the son of Harman Mitchell Hanna, Sr. and Hazel Keturah (Reynolds) Hanna.
Mitch spent his younger years in California and Pennsylvania, graduating from North Penn High School in Landsdale, Pennsylvania in 1964. He then attended Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before transferring to Northwest Missouri State University to finish his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Mitch graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1968. He later obtained his Master’s Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University and then his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
On September 7, 1968 Mitch was united in marriage with Marilyn Jean Chavannes in Des Moines, Iowa. After their marriage they made their home in Maryville, Missouri. Mitch proudly served his country in The United States Army in Vietnam. After his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army on July 1, 1974, Mitch returned to Missouri, and he and Marilyn moved to Savannah, Missouri where Mitch took the position of Vice-Principal of Savannah High School. They next moved to Maryville, Missouri where Mitch served as Principal of Maryville High School for 3 years before moving to King City, Missouri where he was the Superintendent of Schools for four years. In 1984, the Hanna family moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri where Mitch served as Superintendent of the Pleasant Hill R-3 School District until his retirement in 2001. Mitch and Marilyn continued to make their home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri until 2019 when they moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Mitch had served on the Board of Trustees for Cass County Regional Medical Center and had been a member of the Missouri Association of School Administrators and the Pleasant Hill Planning and Zoning Committee. He was a member of V.F.W. Post #3118 of Pleasant Hill and a former member of the Pleasant Hill Optimist Club. Mitch attended the United Methodist Church of Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
Mitch loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, especially his grandchildren. In his leisure time, Mitch enjoyed hunting, woodworking, sailing, driving his Miata convertible, traveling and hosting get-togethers for family and friends.
Mitch was preceded in death by his father, Harman Mitchell Hanna, Sr. and his mother, Hazel (Reynolds) Phillips.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn Jean Hanna of the home; one son, Adam Hanna and wife Miranda of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; one daughter Christen Hanna of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; two grandchildren, Charlee Jo Hanna and James Mitchell Hanna both of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; step-father, George Phillips of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; sister, Sandy Hanna of Marion Station, Maryland; half-sister, Mary Beth Polinski and husband Dave of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Dick Chavannes and wife Nancy of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the United Methodist Church Community Life Center, 1300 Lexington Road, Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The family suggests contributions, “In Memory of Harman Mitchell “Mitch” Hanna, Jr.” to Village Hospice, 1001 NW Chipman Road, Suite 237, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081.
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We are very sorry to learn about Mitch’s death. He was a fine man and an excellent Superintendent of Schools. Mitch will be missed by many friends in Pleasant Hill.
My condolences to Mitch’s family
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