Services
Obituary
Jay Hanning, 68, of Clarion, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The family will host a Celebration of Life gathering at 3:30 PM on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Blissful Moments, 2323 Highway 3 in Clarion, IA. Following the celebration, a light meal will be served, along with a Budweiser in honor of Jay.
Jay Dee Hanning, son of Thomas Vance Hanning and Maryellen Swisher, was born on December 19, 1957 in Loma Linda, California. The baby of the family, he grew up surrounded by the love and influence of his four older siblings. Jay spent his childhood in Fontana, where he attended school and formed many of his earliest memories. In his high school years, he moved to Santa Ana to live with his father and stepmother Dora, continuing his education and beginning the next chapter of his life.
Following high school, Jay went to work alongside his father, learning the trade of lath and plaster. Through years of dedication, long days, and a strong work ethic, he mastered the craft. Jay took great pride in his skill, becoming known for the quality of his workmanship and the commitment he brought to every project. Even a few years back, his nephew hired him to bring that expertise to walls of his Clarion home. And without skipping a beat, Jay showed us all he still had it.
Jay loved his mom dearly, and at just 20 years old, he surprised her with a brand-new car - one of her proudest moments as a mother. Throughout his adult life, Jay didn’t always make the best choices, but he always had his family in his corner, loving him unconditionally and supporting him no matter the circumstances. Even in the hardest seasons, when all that could be done was pray, they stood by him.
In 2008, Jay decided to move to Iowa, bravely trading sunny California for Midwestern winters so he could start a new beginning and be close to family. His mom cherished having her “baby Jay” nearby, and he brightened her world with his spontaneous pop-in visits. Life was certainly different in Iowa, but Jay embraced it. For years each spring, he planted flowers. His way of reclaiming a bit of California warmth; and he took pride in watching them bloom.
During his years in Iowa, Jay began a new profession, working in agricultural processing plants until his retirement in 2023. Although he never had children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews with the devotion of a parent. He never missed an opportunity to spoil them or slip them treats their parents wouldn’t approve of. His great-nieces and great-nephews kept him young, whether they lived nearby, stopped by for a visit, or called from afar. Jay was always ready with a hug and a conversation that usually included a few witty jabs. He wasn’t fond of taking pictures, but he eventually accepted that family gatherings meant photo sessions. Every now and then he’d manage to sneak away, and the mischievous smile when caught gave him away every time.
Jay never knew a stranger. He was a thoughtful, generous friend - the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. In recent years, he settled into daily routines, with the library becoming his favorite stop to pick out a new TV series to watch. While he sometimes appeared gruff, his smile told the truth: when he grinned, his face lit up, revealing the gentle giant he truly was. His fiercely blue eyes and thick, snow-white hair were traits his sisters teasingly envied – as did everyone else.
Jay is survived by 3 siblings who loved him deeply: brother Vance Hanning of Mountain Home, Arkansas; sister Debra (Hank) Bragg of Mountain Home, Arkansas; and sister Jayne Hanning of Clarion, Iowa. He is also survived by 7 nieces and nephews: Lisa (Marty) Moore of California, Amy Henrickson of Arkansas, Aaron (Valerie) Aguilera of California, Alison (Kevin) Marshall of Iowa, Alina (Joe) Bosch of Iowa, Sara Aguilera of California, and Anthony Murga Jr. of Iowa; 8 great-nieces and 8 great-nephews; and 3 great-great-nieces and 3 great-great-nephews; along with many cherished friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Maryellen, stepmother Dora, and his older sister, Donna.