David D, Hancock

Reverend David D. Hancock MARION–Reverend David D. Hancock, 70, of Marion went to be with the Lord at 4:45 AM, Friday, August 20, 2010 after a year long battle with a brain tumor. He passed away peacefully at home on his 49th wedding anniversary. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, August 22, 2010 at John A. Logan College Hancock Conference Center with Reverend John Howat and Reverend Jerry Schell officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until the time of the service on Sunday at John A. Logan. Private family burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, John A. Logan College Hancock Scholarship Fund or the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute; envelopes are available through the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. David was born in Oak on August 1, 1940 to Elsberry and Mary Ruth (Frick) Hancock. David moved to Marion in 1945. He married Jaclyn Lashley on August 20, 1961; together they shared 49 years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Jackie Hancock of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Janeen and Steve Plumer of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Valerie Hancock of Jordan; grandchildren, Alexis and Luke McAnally of Lexington, Kentucky, Ashton Plumer of Marion, Victoria Hancock and Nicholas Hancock both of Jordan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rodman and Elaine Hancock and Ray and Ruth Hancock all of Marion; nephews, Barry & Jennifer Hancock, Captain Daryl and Colleen Hancock, Andrew Hancock, Aaron Hancock, Henry Benerman and Ethan Hancock; and nieces, Kellie and Mike McSparin, Karen Hancock, Grace Benerman and Elizabeth Hancock. David attended Marion Schools, graduated in 1958, attended classes at Southern Illinois University, and graduated from the Southern Baptist Bible College. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Oxford University in Tennessee for his work there, serving on the Board of Regents for 13 years. David was a Baptist Bi-Vocational Minister serving in Williamson and Johnson Counties. He was licensed to preach on October 12, 1958 and ordained at Coal Bank Springs Baptist Church on February 16, 1962. He has been preaching for 52 years. David was honored for his pastoral loving of the Lord and His people at Cana Baptist Church on July 11, 2010 under the blessings of the Reverend John Howat. For almost 5 years, David has been the pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church on Route 45. Since 2003 he served with the Chaplin Corp at Heartland Regional Medical Center. David was a Million Dollar Round Table Producer for Prudential 12 out of 13 years. He owned Hancock Insurance Agency for 4 years, tripling the agency’s volume during that period. He then worked for American States Insurance and SAFECO for 21 years. He always ranked as one of the top life sales Reps in the Company and was a recipient of the Top Ten Club and the President’s Award many times. At his retirement, he ranked number 1 in the United States. David had degrees in LUTC, CLU and CPEU. David was active in Scouts during his life, achieving the Order of the Arrow. He became a Scout Master and was recently the District Chairman for the Egyptian Boy Scouts of America and the Greater St. Louis Area Council. Lions Club was his passion with the motto, “We Serve”. He was a Johnston City Lions member for many years, and at his death was a member of the Marion Lions. He held almost every position in the Lions Club and belonged to Lions International from 1965 to the present. He was the first District Governor of I-CS and one of the youngest to hold this position. In 1976-1977 he helped organize the Marion Lioness Club. He was an Ambassador of Good Will and a certified Guiding Lion. He became the District Governor in 2003-2004 where he also was a Chaplin of the Lions of Illinois Foundation. David believed in the Masonic Mission of God 1st, Family 2nd and Country 3rd. He was a precinct committeeman for many years. He kept up on current events and politics. He served on the Marion City Council as Police and Fire Commissioner for 12 years 1983-1995. David was a licensed pilot, took 4X4 trips in the Colorado Mountains, had HO trains, liked to hunt and camp, and decorated Chevy Chase style at Christmas. For the past 5 years, David was one of the 7 Trustees of John A. Logan College. He was serving as Board Chairman at his death. In appreciation of his love, leadership and vision, a dedication ceremony in his honor was held where a room was named in his behalf. David loved being a part of John A. Logan, praising and improving the college with his leadership. He also, was the Illinois Chairman of the Board Leadership Council of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wilson Hancock.