Melvin "Noel" Hanna Melvin "Noel" Hanna, a former Stalwart resident, was affectionately known by his pilot call sign, "Hooter," while serving several years as a pilot with the United States Air Force. He completed officer training in 1968, then pilot training in 1969, and completed his tour of active duty at the rank of captain in 1973. During his time in service, he flew innumerable aircraft, and among his favorites were the O2 Observer, A-37 Dragonfly, OA10 Thunderbolt, and lastly, his beloved private aircraft, a yellow J3 Cub float plane known as "Cubby," often seen parked on Beadle Lake and over the skies of Southwest Michigan, where he had lived.

Mr. Hanna was 63 when he passed away Sunday morning, July 15, 2007, after an extended fight with pancreatic cancer. He had been ill since December 2003, when his prognosis was six months to a year.

He was born August 13, 1943, in Stalwart, on the Hanna Family Centennial Farm to Doris Rosing Hanna and Melvin Richard Hanna.

He was graduated from Pickford High School in 1961, then from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, with a bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1967.

He worked for Post General Foods from 1973 to 1979, then was plant manager at Heublien for the RJ Reynolds Company at Allen Park. He was self employed for many years, mostly working in real estate. He served in the Michigan Air National Guard from 1973 to 1994, retiring at the rank of colonel.

He was a sportsman, hunter, craftsman, carpenter, world traveler, and flight instructor. He could recite poetry from memory, was known to his friends as a leader, and "knew how to get a laugh out of just about anyone," family members recalled. His skill with aircraft was only matched by his passion for life and love of family.

He flew for Wings of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that provides free air transportation for people with limited financial means who need treatment at distant medical facilities, and friends said that after seeing children and people much younger than him with terminal illnesses, he felt he had no right to complain about his illness.

Mr. Hanna is survived by his wife, Linda Hanna; three sons and their families, Michael Hanna, Christopher and Alexandra Hanna, and Andrew Hanna; two stepsons and their families, Timothy and Teresa Jettner, and Todd Jettner; three grandchildren, Isabella Hanna, Henry M. Noel Hanna, and Sidney Jettner; his former wife, Mary Hanna; one brother, Carl Hanna; two sisters and their families, Diane Schmitigal and Shannon Dennis, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 18, at the Farley-Estes and Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 19, at the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek, with the Reverend Ralph Cates officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek.

Memorial donations can be made to Wings of Mercy or Battle Creek Health System Cancer Care Center.