John Mervyn Hannahs

John Mervyn "Gus" Hannahs, at the ripe old age of 87, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at Alcoa Pines, Benton, Ark. Born Sept. 30, 1925, to Forest and Mae Hannahs in Monroe County, Ohio, one of 10 children. John Mervyn Hannahs was preceded in death by brothers, Fred, Gerald, Harlan, Roy and Herman, and sisters, Lena Mae Loukas and Ruth Craig. He is survived by one brother Myron, and one sister, Myrle Lyons. He is also survived by his wife of 44 years, Rose Ann Defazio-Hannahs; three sons, John Forrest Hannahs of Banning, Calif., Russell Todd Hannahs of Benton, Michael Boyd Hannahs, also of Benton and a step-son, Michael Moore of San Antonio, Texas. As a child, John Mervyn attended grammar school for seven years in Noble County, Ohio at Greg's Schoolhouse, a one-room facility, where he contributed as a janitor, cleaning and sweeping at the school, in addition to performing his assigned duties at home. He attended junior high and high school in Summerfield, Ohio, where he was elected president of both his junior and senior classes. In his senior year he was also named captain of the Summerfield High basketball team, which won the Noble County tournament. John Mervyn was voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center before becoming an Aviation Radioman and Radar Operator, and attaining the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. Hannahs served 23 months in overseas duty, primary in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After World War II, John Mervyn "Gus" Hannahs moved to New York City, beginning his business career with Annis Fur Company of New York and Detroit. In 1949, he moved to Little Rock, to manage the fur department at what was then known as Pfeifer's Department Store. Mr. Hannahs joined Dillard Department Stores in 1963, in conjunction with their acquisition of Pfeifer's. He spent the majority of his career with Dillard's in various merchandising management positions, during the company's expansion from three stores to 337 stores. He held notable executive and vice-presidential assignments in Dillard operating divisions in Little Rock, San Antonio and Fort Worth. In 1973 he was appointed corporate vice president and an officer of the company. He retired from Dillard Department Stores in 1986. After his retirement from Dillard's, "Gus" Hannahs successfully managed multiple international manufacturing and distribution businesses, operating those enterprises from offices in Dallas and his Maumelle home, where he lived with his wife Rose Ann for over 28 years. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m., Monday, March 4, 2013, at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle, Ark. under the direction of Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy 5 N., Alexander, Ark. Please share your memories of "Gus" at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.