William E. Hanlon

William Earl Hanlon, age 73, of Zelienople, formerly of Mars, left this earth on Saturday morning, May 18, 2019.  He was quite simply . . . .the best dad ever, not only to his children but to others as well.  He was smart, funny, loving, gentle, brave, a teacher, generous and was the rock of our family.

Born in New Kensington, PA on September 3, 1945, he was the son of the late Earl and Gladys McGinnis Hanlon.

He was the Dad who drove the boat while the kids water-skied. He was the Dad who cleaned the fish we caught, or kept the fire going while we ice skated. He was the Dad who woke us up in the early morning to work on the 30 acre Farm and taught us the importance of having a good work ethic.  He was the Dad who took us on long car trips (to both coasts) so that we could see and appreciate our country. He taught us how to play sports, build things, ride dirt bikes and took us camping. He loved sports, especially golf. His favorite sports team was the Pittsburgh Penguins.  We knew to our very core that he and mom loved us—we didn’t think about it, talk about it or try to understand and analyze it, we just knew that was the natural way life should be.

Bill was the owner and President of R.L. Johnson Construction, where he built bridges all over Pennsylvania for his entire career. Bill spent his free time traveling all around the world, spending time at his second home in Ft. Peirce, FL, watching his grandson ride motorcycles and his granddaughters dance competitively. He also enjoyed working outdoors, movies and reading during the off season. Bill was always there to help relatives and friends with construction projects, coaching baseball and volunteering in the community or whatever else people needed him for. In his company, we felt special, cherished and loved.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret “Peg” Cipra Hanlon, who he married on May 8, 1965, his sons, Cristopher W. Hanlon (Linda) of Jeannette, Brian K. Hanlon (Kelly) of Valencia and Jason Hanlon (Melissa) of Mars, his grandchildren, Benjamin, Abigail, Jamison, Olivia, Jesse, Ella and the late Kyle.  Preceded in death by his sisters, Donna Bauer and Marion Bonsmann.

Friends will be received at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA on Monday from 4-8 PM. Services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at the funeral home, with Rev. Bruce Gascoine, offiating.  In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Bill’s name to the St. Jude Foundation, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.