John Franklin Hansler's Obituary
John passed away peacefully on April 21, 2018. He was born on February 21, 1928, the son of Robert and Lillian (Petersen) Hansler, in Tacoma, WA. He graduated with honors from Lincoln High School and then served in the Army in Japan from 1946-47. Upon return to Washington, he attended WSU and the University of Washington, ultimately receiving a Bachelor of Laws in 1952. He served as a law clerk to the Hon. Homer T. Bone, US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, from 1952-1954, and as Asst. WA State Attorney General from 1954-1956. He began private law practice in 1956 as a partner in Nordstrom, Dolack & Hansler in Tacoma and maintained an active law practice until 2016. He married the love of his life, Phyllis R. Sather of Tacoma in 1951, and together they raised five children: Cheryl Seelhoff of Gig Harbor; Robert Hansler (Kathy) of Tacoma; Deborah Bock (Mike) of Snohomish; Heidi Jacobsen (Paul) of Puyallup and Christopher Hansler (Lisa) of Graham. He leaves 23 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. John was very active in the community and devoted to the church. He loved sports and particularly the outdoors where he could often be found hiking on high mountain ridges. But until his final days, his consuming passions were his faith in God through his Lord, Jesus Christ, his devotion to his wife and family and to his church family locally, nationally and internationally. He was a humble, kind and unassuming man of highest integrity who prayed without ceasing for his loved ones, his country and the world. A memorial service will be held at his church, Celebration Center, 13603 86th Ave E, Puyallup, WA on Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 am.
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