| Date of Birth | August 4, 1937 |
| Date Deceased | April 30, 2024 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | May 6, 2024 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Arkport, NY |
| Interment Location | Rural Cemetery, Hornell |
John Hann left us peacefully on April 30, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, with his daughters at his bedside. The entire family is deeply moved and appreciative of the meticulous and compassionate care John received during his stay at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Born in Hornell on Aug. 4, 1937 he was the son of the late Julian Geller and Bertalou Hann and was lovingly raised by his maternal grandparents, Alverdia and Victor Hann. He was also predeceased by four sisters and his high school and college sweetheart, Nancy Hover Hann, with whom he shared 60 years of his life before she passed away on Oct. 22, 2013.
A graduate of Hornell High School, John received an associate degree in business from Alfred State College in 1957. He spent his entire career at the former Steuben Trust Company in Hornell, retiring as Vice President.
John liked to travel and had a fondness for the Adirondacks. He was also an avid reader (always seeking the latest action/thriller or murder mystery) and loved animals, especially dogs. He will be remembered most of all for his story telling, quirky sarcasm, and wit. John loved attending social events and being the center of attention. Each time he told one of his well-trodden stories, new details and particularities seemed to emerge. John was very particular (and vocal) with his dining preferences. He adored chicken Marsala, French onion soup, shrimp cocktail, fudge, anything sweet, and the occasional Bloody Mary. Although he could be willfully (yet pleasantly) cantankerous, this was underpinned by a zest for life, deep sense of joy, biting sense of humor, and commitment to family.
Most recently he became an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Arkport. He valued the friendship, deep connections, kindness, and sense of community he established with the congregation.
He is lovingly survived by two daughters, Kimberley (James) Murray of Syracuse, NY, and Terri (Daniel) Koehler of Hornell; one son, David (Rose) Hann of California; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Adam) Klinges, Timothy (Carrie) Koehler, Joseph (Jolene) Koehler, Michelle Hann, Andrew Koehler (Allison Pacer), James Murray (Molly “by golly” Rudolph), Alexander Hann, Laura (Skyler) Mitchell, Stacey (Zack) Lincoln and Isaac Hann; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Robin Geller Weil of California; as well as several nieces and nephews.
To honor his request there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7858 Ave. of Oaks, Arkport, NY where a funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday (May 6, 2024). Private interment will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the SPCA serving Allegany County, P.O. Box 181, Belmont, NY 14813.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist John’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of John are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto
Sending the family much love and sympathies. Milt is related to Nancy and we loved being around their fun sense of humors! They ate back together and happy!
I had the pleasure to teach John as a missionary and watch him get baptized. I always looked forward to our meetings with him, and I’m convinced that I was sent to Hornell specifically to meet him. I enjoyed his humor and his stories and found myself reluctant to leave each night. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to talk to him again. My condolences go out to his family.
John was a true gentleman. Always pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable and kind. I had the pleasure of knowing him from the bank and then, very briefly, as a neighbor. John and Nancy and their children were, very simply, just nice people…down to earth, friendly and good-hearted.