Leland John "Pee Wee" Hackman

Leland John "Pee Wee" Hackman, age 88, of Vallonia, passed away in the early morning on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at his residence with his devoted and loving wife, Jean, of 66 years by his side.
After being baptized and confirmed in Christ at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, Mr. Hackman was a lifetime member and served on numerous church offices.
Leland graduated from Tampico High School in 1950. While Leland was a member of the United States Air Force from January, 1953, to December, 1956, he had a long distance courtship with Donna Jean Schneck, whom he later married on July 2, 1955, at Brownstown Methodist Church. After their honeymoon trip to Tennessee, they immediately moved to Crescent City, California, where he was stationed, and there they started their family.
They returned to Jackson County in 1956, where he and Jean continued to grow their family and carried on the family farm, raising livestock and grain at Blooming Valley Farms. At the age of 35, Pee Wee was named "Outstanding Young Farmer". Some of his fondest memories were walking the soybean fields, and chopping weeds with Jean, and his children, as well as, yearly family camping and boating trips.
Pee Wee's family was the light of his life, and by example he taught them to worship God, work hard, play hard, and most of all, love each other. His life's desire was to help and love his wife, children, grandchildren, and great – grandchildren.
Together, each year he and Jean would decorate the cross he made for his granddaughter, Laura Jean's headstone. They also placed American flags on each Veteran's grave at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan Cemetery.
He was a former member of Hickory Hills Golf Club, where he enjoyed playing golf. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling, cutting wood, bowling, and watching his grandchildren's activities. Leland and Jean built their retirement home from wood harvested from the family farm. Pee Wee was a devoted husband, Daddy, and Pappaw, as well as a true and faithful friend and will be missed by many.
Born on September 19, 1932, on the farm in the home where his son, John, and wife Tammi, currently live, he was the son of John and Hilda Nierman Hackman, both of whom preceded him in death.
Survivors also include two sons: John William (Tammi) Hackman of Vallonia, and Stuart Schneck (Stephanie) Hackman of Vallonia; three daughters: Holly Lee (Richard) Berry of Vallonia, Julie Ann (Stevan) Savich of Vallonia, and Amy Jo (John) Hartley of Vallonia; grandchildren: Sarah Beth (Donnie) Strack, Nathan Richard (Allison) Berry, Caitlyn Lee (Jimmy) Baker, Seth Leland (Regan) Berry, Aaron John (Katie) Hackman, Lindsey Crist (Blake) Fish, Caleb Zane William (Kaitlyn) Hackman, Avri Cora Sanchez Bonilla, Richelle Lynne (Bryan) Kovener, Elise Leanne (Brad) Watkins, Wesley Benjamin (Angie) Hartley, Olivia Joyce (Lucas) Hanner, Emily Jean (Alex) Payne, Trey James Hackman, and Madelyn Faith Hackman; great-grandchildren: Ellabeth Faith Strack, Anderson Donald Strack, Lilajean Mae Strack, Evaleigh Grace Strack, Harrison Louie Strack, Islarose Joy Strack, Whitaker Twain Strack, Easton Colt Berry, Morgan Grey Berry, William Richard Baker, Evan James Baker, Future Leland Hollis Baker, Future Carter Berry, Chloe Crist Fish, Parker David Fish, McKenna Hay Hackman, John Kyler Gregory Hackman, Preston Riley Kovener, Jackson Benjamin Hartley, Landon James Hanner, Future Baby Hanner, and four step great - grandchildren; one sister, Marcella Wischmeier of Seymour; one sister - in law, Betty (Chester) Canada; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Leland was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Laura Jean Berry; and two brothers-in-law: Richard Schneck and Willard Wischmeier.
Funeral services for Leland John "Pee Wee" Hackman will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, with Pastor Jordan McKinley and Pastor Kenneth Keiley officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the family requests that masks be worn when at the funeral home for visitation and at the church for the funeral service.
Military honors will be presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans 47 and Vietnam Vets 7.
Interment will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Hour or Donor's choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff of Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown.
Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com