UPDATE: Former commissioner takes his own life

DINGMAN — Gerry Hansen, 73, died as a result of suicide at his Dingman Township home on June 1, Pike County Coroner Kevin Stroyan confirmed Wednesday. Investigating state Trooper Michael Mulvey said his death occurred between 9 and 9;30 a.m. Mulvey would not comment on the cause of death and did not know who discovered Hansen’s body. A police investigation is continuing. Stroyan said Hansen had no apparent prior health problems and evidence confirmed that the death was a suicide. He also declined to give any further details. Hansen had been living in Pike County since 1985, became a familiar face as a partner with Ed and Karen Loeschorn, in The Dimmick Inn & Steakhouse in Milford. During that time he was deeply involved in the community. He served a term Pike County Commissioner, 2000-03, and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for county treasurer in 2004. He served as the president of The Pike County Chamber of Commerce, sat on the board of Bon Secours Hospital and United Way of Pike County. Stroyan said there were no final arrangment plans, pending instructions from Hansen’s family in Nebraska.