John "Jay" Hanna

John “Jay” Hanna—a longtime prosecutor, tireless advocate, and devoted husband, father and grandfather—died peacefully at home Aug. 5, 2025, at the age of 78. Born Nov. 3, 1946, to Roberta (Wealthall) and John A. Hanna, Jay grew up in Napoleon, Ohio, alongside his sisters, Lee and Gretchen, and a bevy of friends who remained in his circle well beyond their 1964 Napoleon High School graduation. His closest confidante, though, was his high school sweetheart, Lois Zimmerman, who he married Sept. 2, 1967. In their nearly 58 years of marriage, the two built a life based on friendship, respect, compassion for others, and, perhaps more than anything, a deep devotion to their seven children. Jay graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1968 and the University of Toledo College of Law with a JD in 1972. (This education, combined with a brief high school teaching stint in between, later helped him lecture his children on grammar and dominate them in nightly viewings of Jeopardy!.) Upon graduation from law school, Jay returned to Napoleon as an associate with the Hoeffel, Funkhouser and Short Law Firm; he soon became a partner and continued to work in private practice at what eventually became Hanna Fisher & Rosebrook. In 1975, Jay successfully ran for Henry County prosecutor—a position to which he continually won election until he stepped down in 2016. He retired from private practice in 2018, at which time he was awarded a commendation from the Ohio Senate for his service. This was one of many professional accolades Jay earned throughout his life, but his most cherished were those related to his community. Such honors included the Napoleon Parks and Recreation Service Award for his leadership of the late-’80s/early-’90s Blue Jays Little League team; induction into the Napoleon High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his high school wrestling prowess and hundreds of hours volunteered as an official at nearly all of his children’s swim meets and water polo matches; the Napoleon High School Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award for his exceptional career achievements; and a scholarship named in his honor through Napoleon’s Rotary International chapter, of which he served as president and, during his tenure, the longstanding and beloved Santa House began. In addition, Jay and Lois received the inaugural Champion for Children Award from the Symphony of Trees for their work in co-founding what is now the Center for Child and Family Advocacy and for Jay’s career giving voice to and providing justice for those who need it most. Jay was renowned for his work helping children, whether through the legal system or as a coach during kids’ formative years. Even amid his impressive and demanding career, making time for children—his own and others—was paramount. Jay’s children each recall regularly disrupting his workday with phone calls and visits to his office, and none can remember him missing a sporting event, theater performance or school program. Though he had many passions of his own—Ohio State football, poker club, obscure history, John Denver music and water skiing at least once per year at the family’s beloved Hamilton Lake cottage—Jay found true joy and pride in his children’s activities. He quickly developed deep loves for whatever interested them, from Broadway musicals to WWE wrestling. Jay was so committed to giving back that, upon his diagnosis with Lewy body dementia, he joined a five-year research study at Cleveland Clinic to help scientists better understand the neurodegenerative disorder; at the time, he agreed to donate his brain to further research to hopefully prevent the disease in others. Jay’s loving wife, Lois—with the incredible caregiving staff of Waite Nightingales Nursing Agency and other private providers—cared for Jay at home since his diagnosis, with end-of-life support and care from Kind Hearts Hospice. He is survived by Lois and six of his children: Tiffany Hanna (Cheryl Kempf), Joshua (Justine) Hanna, Megan (Hawken) Flanagan, Zachary (Michelle) Hanna, Nicholas (Katie) Hanna and Emily (Patrick) Mayock; 15 grandchildren; his sister Gretchen Downs; brothers-in law Don and Bob (Gina) Zimmerman; many nieces and nephews; and his bonus daughter, Robin (Chad) Hershberger. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son John, his sister Lee Hanna, and his brother-in-law Tom Downs. Family members will greet friends during calling hours at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home (1010 Westmoreland Ave., Napoleon) Sunday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services will be held Monday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, with a private family interment. Donations in Jay’s memory can be made to the Center for Child and Family Advocacy (theccfa.org). Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

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John "Jay" Hanna

November 3, 1946 - August 5, 2025