Philip Warren Hanson, 97, of rural Mendota died May 21, 2017, in his home surrounded by loved ones.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday in Holy Cross Church, Mendota with the Rev. Peter A. Pilon officiating. Burial will take place in Troy Grove Cemetery at a later date with Military Rites by VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Wednesday with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Philip was born April 21, 1920, in Troy Grove to Louis and Maria (Olson) Hanson. He married Catherine Patricia Graham on October 10, 1946 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marseilles. She passed away May 23, 2015.

They lived their lives together in Troy Grove and Mendota. Philip served in the U.S. Army-Air Force during World War II from March 1942 until October 1945. He participated in the Battle of Saipan and received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with a Bronze Star.  He was a 71 year member of American Legion Post 540 of Mendota. Philip worked as a self-employed painter, building contractor, and farmer. He enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting, playing cards and eating popcorn. For many years he spent the winter crappie fishing on Lake Okeechobee, FL.

He is survived by five sons, Arthur (Lynda) Hanson of Spring Valley, James (Candy) Hanson and Joseph (Kristi Adair) Hanson, both of Albuquerque, N.M., Michael (Michelle) Hanson of Ottawa and Paul (Lori) Hanson of Blue Grass,IA; two daughters, Judith (Pamela Wayne) Hanson of Boston, MA., and Janet (Michael) Widolff of West Brooklyn; 16 grandchildren, Michael, John, Eric, Mary, Megan, Kori, Patricia, Matthew, Camden, Megan, Shannon, Patrick, Amy, Andrew, Daniel and Elizabeth; 15 great-grandchildren, Kevin, Katelyn, Erin, Madelyn, Hailey, Toni, Rylee, Molly, Owen, Kennedi, Keaton, Patrick Jr., Violet, Bradley, and Oliver.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded by one grandchild, Patti Lyn and 7 siblings, Ida, Oscar, Emil, Anna, Edith, Margaret and Albert.

Memorials may be directed to the family for his favorite veteran charities.