Arthur (Art) Coppock Hanson, 91, formerly of Western Springs, died peacefully on June 15, 2016 at Windsor Park in Carol Stream IL.

Art was born in Normal IL on August 19, 1924 to Effie (Stratton) and Herman Hanson. Art graduated from Normal Community High School in 1942 and soon after enlisted in flight training with the United States Army. Art was the navigator of a B17 bomber, flying missions over Europe during World War II.

In 1946, Arthur married Phyllis Martin who preceded him in death in 1948. Their son Richard was born 1947.

Art studied at Boston University, where he graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He married Marilyn Craig in June of 1952 and started his first teaching position in Geneseo IL that fall.

In 1957, Art earned his Masters degree in Science Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and moved to LaGrange IL to teach Chemistry at Lyons Township High School. Art taught at LTHS until he retired in 1983. One of Art's favorite classroom lab experiments was teaching his students to make peanut brittle every December. At home, his bread, fudge, and cookies were highly praised.

In 1958, Art and Marilyn moved to Western Springs IL to raise their family after daughter Susan was born. They stayed for nearly fifty years before moving to Windsor Park in Carol Stream in 2008. Art was an avid gardener and loved tending his expansive vegetable garden. Art also enjoyed bird watching, hiking, traveling and commuting to school on his bicycle. Art also loved opera, and he and Marilyn enjoyed their annual subscription to the Lyric Opera in Chicago for many years.

Art leaves his wife of 64 years, Marilyn of Carol Stream, his son Richard and daughter-in-law Pearl White of Melrose Park IL, his daughter Susan Hanson-Philbrick and son-in-law Samuel Philbrick of Manchester MA; five grandchildren: Ezra, Alex, and Jesse Hanson-White, and Abigail and Lillian Philbrick; and several nieces and nephews. Art's four older sisters preceded him in death: Dorothy Allen, Susannah Vaughan, Marjory Bishop and Winifred Dufford.

A burial service will be held on June 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood IL. A celebration of Art's life will take place between 2-4 p.m. on July 24, 2016 at Windsor Park in Carol Stream IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Windsor Park Benevolent Care Fund, 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream IL 60188.