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Guilford HANESWORTH, Jr

Male 1925 - Abt 2014  (89 years)


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  • Name Guilford HANESWORTH 
    Suffix Jr 
    Birth 1925  La Crosse County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death Abt 2014 
    Notes 
    • Guilford Hanesworth, Jr, 89, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, June, and daughter, Sandra at his side.

      Gil was born in La Crosse to Guilford G. and Leona Hanesworth in 1925. He graduated from La Crosse Central High School and joined the Marine Corps in 1943, serving 2 1/2 years during which time he was part of the amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he recieved during the Campaign. After his return home he attended St Mary's College in Winona, MN where he played football. He transferred to Bradley University in Peoria, Ill, graduating in 1950.

      In 1948 he married Janet Lynn Smevog of La Crosse and they shared 48 yrs before her passing in 1996.

      During his carreer he lived and worked in Oak Park, IL, Atlanta, GA, La Grange Park, IL, and West Palm Beach, Fl. Somehow he found time to organize Jaycees and start Little League Baseball leagues early in his career. While living in Atlanta, Sandra, their daughter came into their lives. In 1966 the family moved to La Grange Park, IL when Gil took a position with the National Sporting Goods Association as director of their retail trade shows. He was president of the local school board and later President of the Parks and Recreation Department for the Village of La Grange Park. Gil was instrumental in acquiring land for the Village now named in his honor, Hanesworth Park, that is home to the Recreation Building and Little League Baseball fields.

      In 1980 Gil became Managing Director of the New York International Trade Show for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, located in West Palm Beach, FL. Gil retired from that postion in 1987.

      Gil stayed busy during retirement as a volunteer for the Florida Sports foundation managing the National Awards Program for Parks and Recreation Departments. He was a member of the Florida Seniors Task Force promoting state wide Senior Games and was also involved at the national level.

      In 1999 Gil returned to La Crosse where he was an active volunteer with the "Friends of the Upper Mississippi Fishing Services", and a member of the American Legion Post 52. He was a tennis buff, playing the game into his 80's. He loved participating in sports, being outside, and on the go living an active and full life. Gil was able to take advantage of many wonderful opportunities to include skiing in the Alps and hunting wild Boar in Texas, meeting so many wonderful friends along the way. Family and friends will greatly miss him.

      Gil is survived by his wife, June (Luehmann) Hanesworth. They were married in 2003 and have enjoyed 11 wonderful years together. He is also survived by his daughter Sandra (Darryl) Scheffel of Grafton, IL., three grandchildren, Diana, Jonathan, and Kristianna Scheffel, two sisters-in-law, Audrey Vorbeck and Ruth (Robert) Frise, many nieces and nephews and June's two children, grandchilden and great- grandchildren.

      He was preceeded in death by his sister, Shirley Snyder and her husband Chuck, and sister-in-law Marjorie Maney and her husband James.

      The family wishes to thank Dr. Jumonville and staff and the Gunderson Hospice Program for all their support.
    Person ID I28037  Don Carlson's Tree
    Last Modified 12 Mar 2022 

    Family Janet Lynn SMEVOG,   b. 2 Apr 1928, La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Nov 1996, Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 68 years) 
    Family ID F19545  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Oct 2018