Melvin L. Hanson

Hanson, Melvin L., beloved husband of Marilyn R. Hanson (nee Loop), loving father of Matt (Jet) Hanson, Randy (Debbie) Hanson, Holly (Chris) Treinen, and Wren Hanson. Proud grandpa of Tommy (Cyndi), Alex, and Samantha Hanson, Julie (Drew) Ratterman and Eric Treinen. Great-Grandpa to Nicholas, Hailey, Dean and Nyara. He is also survived by sisters Carol Thompson and JoAnn Andre. He was preceded in death by his son Robin, brother Howard, and sister Ruth.

Mel Hanson was born in Newport Kentucky on August 2, 1930, and was the 3rd of 5 children born to Walter and Zelma Hanson. He grew up with his siblings in a modest house without indoor plumbing. His first job was mowing grass for neighbors when he was 12 years old. He hunted for rabbits and kept chickens to help his mom feed the family. He graduated from Campbell County High School and then served honorably in the Marines. As a young man, he worked as a concrete block mason, then he learned the auto body trade from his older brother Howard. He worked in this trade until he retired at the age of 69.

He spent his life working hard and helping others. He was a skilled repairman, craftsman, mason, fisherman and carpenter, who built his own house in 1962. He lived in this house with his wife of 67 years, Marilyn, until his death. He loved his family and friends. If a family member, friend or neighbor needed help or advice with a home or car repair they would come to Mel. And not long after asking Mel for help he would be at their house helping (but more likely doing) the job for them. There was nothing Mel couldn’t do with his skilled hands and mind. Roofing, remodeling, repairing, installing, he did it all for most of the 90 plus years of his amazing life. After his 92nd birthday, he started slowing down a bit.

He was a man of quiet faith. He attended St. John’s United Church of Christ from his birth to young adulthood. After he met and married Marilyn, he attended North Presbyterian Church where he was a deacon and served on many committees. Later he went to Epworth United Methodist Church and finally he and Marilyn returned to St. John’s Church in Newport KY. Several years ago, Mel was asked by one of his doctor’s “What’s your secret to long life?” He replied, “Going to church”.

Mel was an avid fisherman and spent his working years taking summer vacations to favorite fishing destinations such as Kentucky Lake, the Boundary Waters of Ely, Minnesota, and Canada. After his retirement, he continued fishing in Minnesota and Canada and discovered the joy of fishing in Mexico and Brazil. While in Brazil he had the trip of a lifetime when he caught a 25-pound Peacock Bass.

Mel was devoted to his wife Marilyn and his children and grandchildren. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his beautiful wife Marilyn, and when his 5 children were growing up, he worked his day job, then he spent his evenings doing car repairs in his garage to make extra money. Later, when he became a grandpa, he was a devoted fan of whatever activity his grandchildren were doing. He attended baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball games, school award ceremonies, band concerts and competitions, anything that involved his grandchildren.

Everyone who knew Mel knew that he was the original self-taught DIYer. After he turned 83 he took up a new hobby of fine woodworking and became a luthier. This became his passion, and he made over 120 mountain dulcimers and sold them via his web site on Etsy to people all over the United States. He also showed and sold them at local art shows in the Cincinnati area and earned a First Place Blue Ribbon at the Hyde Park Art Show in 2019. He built his last dulcimer at the age of 92.

The last few years of his life became quite difficult as his robust health of 90 plus years started to wane and his beloved wife suffered the effects of advanced Alzheimer’s, but he insisted on staying with her “in sickness and in health” in their house in Springfield Township until his passing. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation is Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224. Funeral service follows at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Freestore Foodbank Cincinnati.