Michael E. Hankins, 62, of Wooster, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 at Akron City Hospital from complications from heart surgery.

He was born Dec. 30, 1948 in Kennett, Missouri, the son of the late Henry and Glenda Virginia (Latham) Hankins.  He graduated from Cloverleaf High School in 1968 and served in Vietnam serving with the Military Police.  He worked for 35 years at Wellman Friction Products in Medina and for the past 6 years at Buehlers Milltown in Wooster.  He was a member of the Lodi American Legion and the Creston Moose Lodge.  He enjoyed sports and spending time with his grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by his wife  Karen whom he married Dec. 5, 1981; his children  Kari (Brent) Murray of Sterling and Brian (Heather) Walton of Smithville; his 5 grandchildren, Zack Murray, Hailee Becerra, Mitchell Murray, Logan Walton and Colton Walton; sisters Bonnie (Jerry) Pethtel Burns of Wooster and Sharon (Gary) Bowen of Seville; brother Phillip Hankins of Glenmont, his father-in-law Merlin "Mac" McCrary of Chippewa Lake and special nieces and nephew Kelly, Shelley and Brian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Nancy McCrary and brothers-in-law Pete Pethtel and Michael McCrary.

Services will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with Pastor Deb Quillen officiating.  Burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Gardens.  Friends may call Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com  Memorials may be made to People to People Ministries, 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster, OH 44691.