Daniel Boone Hacker, Jr.

Daniel Boone Hacker, Jr., aged 83, passed away on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 at Lynwood Manor in Adrian after a long bout with esophageal cancer. He was born August 30, 1930 in Oneida, Kentucky to school teacher and mountaineer Daniel B. and Alabama (Davidson) Hacker. His mother passed away shortly after giving birth and his father was advanced in his years, so he was raised by his half-brother Roy and Oda (Britton) Hacker in the Hamilton, Ohio area.Dan attended Reily High school where he played basketball and baseball. He planned on playing basketball for Xavier University but was drafted shortly after enrollment and served in Korea as a member of the United States Army. Upon returning to civilian life he moved to the Monroe, Mich., area to find work in the auto industry. At the urging of his brother-in-law, Monroe jeweler Dan Weiss, he entered Bowman Technical Institute in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and became a master watchmaker.He established Hacker Jewelers in Blissfield in 1956. The business expanded twice in Blissfield and eventually moved to Adrian where he continued to operate it until early 2013. In October of 1958 he married Barbara Ann Dressel. She preceded him in death in 1982.They had two children, both of whom followed in their father’s footsteps in the jewelry industry. Daniel G. Hacker operates Hacker Jewelers, Designers & Goldsmiths, Inc. of Tecumseh with his wife Barbara (Gafner). Monica McKeown is an accomplished jewelry designer and V.P. of the Corporate Division of renowned Chicago jeweler Lester Lampert. She and her husband Thomas live in Whiting, Ind.Dan was preceded in death by many siblings and is survived by just four sisters: Sylvia Lewis of Sale Creek, Tenn.; Susan Wilson of Hamilton, Ohio; Opal Wissinger of Belleview, Wash.; and Blanche (George) Jackson of Oxford, Ohio. He is also survived by three grandchildren: John Hacker and special friend Elisabeth Dion of Livonia; Alexander Lilak of Whiting, Ind.; and Vanessa Lilak of Chicago. He beamed with pride at the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.Over the years, Dan was involved in many civic and business groups. He served as a Blissfield village councilman for several years, was a former Kiwanian, and was a member of the American Legion. He coached Little League baseball and peewee football, and was the stadium announcer for Blissfield High School football for many years. Dan also formerly served on the board of directors of TLC Community Credit Union.You were a stranger in Dan’s jewelry store but once. He had an engaging personality and made friends quickly. He dreamed big and always had a restoration project or second business on the side. He loved bluegrass, classic country, and easy listening pop music, conservative politics, and University of Michigan sports (where both his children and a grandson earned degrees). He was generous to a fault, and will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.Arrangements were entrusted to the Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Funeral services were held on Thursday Dec. 19, with Rev. Jack Loughran officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Military honors were conducted by the Blissfield American Legion Post 325 and VFW Post 10912. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Blissfield American Legion Robert Meachen Post 325 or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences are welcomed at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com.