Thomas Banta Sr.Thomas Banta Sr.
Thomas R. Banta Sr., 70, of Beardstown died at 8:25 p.m. May 10, 2010, at Heritage Manor East in Beardstown.
He was born Dec. 22, 1939, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Charles and Marie Wooldridge Banta.
Surviving are five daughters, Alicia Banta of Cornell, Dennise Banta of Pontiac, Deneen Vernia of Flanagan, Debbie Cox of Gary, Ind., and Bettie Coil of Rushville; one son, Rob Banta of Tuscola; one sister, Marilyn Bunyard of Middletown, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was a United States Army veteran serving from 1958-1962.
He was a machine operator for Spherion Packaging, Pontiac and other jobs throughout his life.
He was a member of Eagle’s Lodge in Middletown, Ohio.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sheldons Grove Cemetery in Browning with Gary Sheets officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Military rites will be provided by Astoria American Legion Post #25.