Thomas Guy Hankins, age 69, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 25, 2014 at his home. He was born in Baraboo on July 4, 1945 to the late Raymond and Bernice (Mills) Hankins. Tom graduated from Mazomanie High School in 1963. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve, serving from 1965-1969. Tom married Erleen Niendorf at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marxville on September 19, 1965. He worked as a technician at Ballweg Chevrolet and later at Badger Army Ammunition Plant until Tom and Erleen opened Tom's Pit Stop in Prairie du Sac in 1975. Along with the service station, Tom, was also a dealer for Taylor Outdoor Wood Stoves. Tom was a proud member of the Sauk Prairie American Legion Post 167 and the Sauk Prairie Masonic Lodge 113. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Marxville.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Erleen; 2 sons, Tom Jr. (Kari) Hankins of Waunakee and Rod (Tina) Hankins of Mazomanie; 2 grandchildren, Nicole and Elizabeth; 3 brothers, Rich (Mary) Hankins of DeForest, Russ (Kay) Hankins of Prairie du Sac and Gary (Kay) Hankins of Verona; a sister, Terri (Tom) Griffith of Baraboo; other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and 2 sisters.


A funeral service will be held at ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, MARXVILLE, at 11:00 am on Friday, August 29, 2014. Military Rites will follow the service. A visitation will be held at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 28, 2014, with a Masonic Service at 7:00 pm, and also at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sauk Prairie American Legion Post 167 or Sauk Prairie Masonic Lodge 113.