Eddie Hanks, 73, of Burnside, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, on his family farm by Crooked Creek in Burnside.

In the passing of life, Eddie was graced with the humility of James 4:6: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." And in the Resurrection, when "the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4), then shall he, and all of us, be whole. For "when this perishable body puts on imperishability, and his mortal body puts on immortality, then shall the saying which has been written be fulfilled: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'" (1 Corinthians 15:54, quoting Isiah 25:8). Yet until then we will be blessed by having known him.

Eddie was born on November 9th, 1952, in Carthage, IL, the son of Leo and Charlet Hanks. On April 12th, 2020, he was united in marriage to Elaine McConnell at the Webster Community Church.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Elaine McConnell of Colchester, IL and 3 children, Anthony Hanks of Plymouth, MI, Eddie Lee Hanks of Creston, Iowa, Tommy Hanks of LaHarpe, IL. Two step children Matthew Gates of Macomb, IL and Danielle Finin (Matthew) of Rochester, MN, by his sister Barb (James) Kaegy of Greenville, IL. Three nieces Laura (Bernard) Myers of Greenville, IL, Carrie Kaegy of Greenville, IL, and Katie (Jeffrey) Ketten of Greenville, IL. As well as two granddaughters Maya Hanks of Plymouth, MI and Mira Hanks of Plymouth, MI; and his beloved dog, Misty.

Eddie is preceded in death by both his parents also of Burnside, IL as well as his beloved Aunt Reta Nelson of Hamilton, IL.

Eddie spent his life on the farm with his parents Leo and Charlet where he enjoyed working with and training horses as well as lending much support with his father's mules. Going back to his younger days, Eddie always had a horse named King that he formed a close bond. Eddie and his parents came together most every day to understand where things were at on the farm, what the challenges of the day were, and then they came up with a plan together to simply do what needed to be done before setting out and doing it. Day after day. Year after year. Eddie will be remembered as fun loving and as someone with a love of the land, his horses, as well as those around him, his family, and those that shared his passions which mostly were centered around consistent hard work day in and day out sun up to sun set.

Memorials may be made to any equine rescue near you such as happyhoovesequine.org.

Services to be held at Printy Funeral Home of Carthage, IL. Arrangements to follow.

To send flowers to the family of Eddie, please visit our floral store.