JOHN W. HANCOCK, JR.

John W. Hancock, Jr., age 76, of Columbia City, IN died at 2:53 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born on March 28, 1933 in Fort Wayne he was the son of John W. and Martha (Linvill) Hancock, Sr.He graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1951 and spent the majority of his lifetime in Columbia City. He served in the US Army from 1953-1955, earning the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Ribbon. He was the former owner of the Columbia Theater and he managed Bituminous Materials/Elf Asphalt in Columbia City and Warsaw from 1965-1992. After his retirement he worked at Wilbys Mini-Mart in Warsaw. An avid fisherman and bird watcher, he was a member of the Moose Lodge #3000, was a volunteer fireman with the Columbia City Fire Department, former member of the Elks Lodge and American Legion. John was a long-time member of the AHRA (American Hotrod Association) and won a National Title one year and another year finished runner up. He also held track records at the Avilla Raceways for many years. He is survived by his long-time companion, Janet Ross of Columbia City; daughter, Lynne (Roger) Drudge of Columbia City; son, Nick (Tamera) Hancock of Huntington, IN; son, Lowell (Barbara) Hancock of Centennial, CO; sister, Carol Loos of Rome City, IN; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Julie Hancock.Visitation with the family will take place on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 3-7 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a Celebration of Life Service following at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Hancock may be made to the Black Pine Animal Park. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To sign the guest register or send the family a condolence, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com or www.johnwhancock.memory-of.com .