Joseph L Hanel

May 21, 1927 - November 23, 2018

Joseph Lamar Hanel, 91, of Howells, Nebraska passed away November 23, 2018 at Parkview Nursing Home in Dodge. Memorials may be made to: Howells Rescue, Howells Community Catholic School, American Legion Post 155, and Family Wishes Joe was born on May 21, 1927 in Leigh to James and Julia (Holoubek) Hanel. He went to school at District 48 in Stanton County; Clarkson High School; and graduated from Leigh High School in 1946. Joe was drafted in 1947 and then served in the Korean War from 1949 to 1951, after the war Joe returned to the states and married Bernita Wilcox of Madison at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Columbus on June 10, 1953. Joe worked at Nebraska-Iowa Supply Company in Blair until he purchased the service station, now known as Hanel Oil, in Howells. The family moved to Howells December 26, 1963. He belonged to St. John's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Albin Folda American Legion Post 155, Howells Volunteer Fire Department, Howells School Bus Board, Village Board member, a founding member of the Howells Rescue Unit, and Dodge VFW. Joe retired from the station in 2011. He enjoyed painting, walking, finding collectors items, family vacations, watching Nebraska Football, and woodworking. He felt strong about finding his family which included the Hanel, Holoubek, Mastny, and Sindelar families. Joe Hanel is survived by his children: Ramonyca Brown (Ed) of Boynton Beach, Florida; Janet Breitkreutz (Craig) of Columbus, Nebraska; Judy Weston (William) of Juniata, Nebraska; David Hanel (Iva) of Clarkson, Nebraska; and Margaret Smith (Leonard) of Howells, Nebraska. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Donald (Jennifer) Howard; Michael Howard; Janette (Ken) Batts; Ranita (Brett) Hiller; Karl Breitkreutz, Ross, and Adam Breitkreutz; Nicholas (Rebecca) Hanel and Spencer Hanel; Bill Weston, Carolyn (Mike) Perez and Joseph Weston; Raul and Jose Smith; step-grandchildren, Wayne (Marion) Brown, Tammy (Terry) Hilton, and Ed Brown III; along with 20 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernita Hanel; son, Daniel Hanel; great-grandson, Charles Hiller; siblings, Lumir, James, Julia (Hanel) Tipton, and Leonard Hanel.