George Robert Banta Obituary (1937

Mr. George Robert Banta, age 74, of Columbia City, Indiana formerly of Canaan entered this life on August 16, 1937 on Ryker's Ridge in Jefferson County, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late George B. & Freda L. Stephan Banta. He was reared on Ryker's Ridge and later the family moved to Canaan. He graduated in 1955 from Central High School on Ryker's Ridge. He served in the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged from Ft. McClellan, Alabama. He was united in marriage to Carolyn A. Riley and this happy union of fifty five years was blessed with one son, George Alan. George Robert worked with Rexnord Corp in Madison and transferred with the company to other plants over the course of twenty years. He retired in 2000 after working with ITT for eighteen years as the information technology manager. He was a longtime member of the Indian-Kentuck Baptist Church near Canaan, Indiana. He had enjoyed wintering in Texas for the past several years and was looking forward to the trip there. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed fishing and devoting much time to his son and grandchildren. George Robert was devoted to his family and enjoyed all the times spent together. George Robert died Saturday, November 5, 2011 in a tragic accident in Columbia City, Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY George Robert will be missed by his loving wife of fifty five years: Carolyn A. Banta of Columbia City, Indiana; his loving son: George Alan Banta & his wife, Colleen of Columbia City, Indiana; his loving grandson: Ben Banta & his wife, Katie of Baltimore, Maryland; his loving granddaughter: Justine Banta - Caywood & her husband, Ben of Key West, Florida; his loving sisters: Carolyn Copeland & her husband, R. Donald of Canaan, Indiana, Donna Prather & her husband, Gary of Doe Valley, Kentucky; his nephews & niece: Gary & his wife, Trina; Matt & his wife, Marci; and Chrissy; several great nieces, nephews, cousins & other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, George B. Banta died, October 19, 1990 and his mother, Freda L. Stephan Banta died, August 8, 1996. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Friday, November 11, 2011 at 12:30 p.m., by Pastor Ed Roberts at the Indian-Kentuck Baptist Church, 4413 East, 925 North near Canaan, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Canaan Cemetery in Canaan, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Friday from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service at the Indian-Kentuck Baptist Church, 4413 East, 925 North near Canaan, Indiana. MILITARY HONORS Full military honors will be conducted at the graveside by Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to BABE or The Lighthouse of Columbia City, C/O The Whitley County Community Foundation, 400 N. Whitley St. Columbia City, Indiana or the Indian-Kentuck Baptist Church. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of George Robert Banta, please click here to visit our sympathy store.