John G. Banks Jr.

1957-2006

Monday, April 24, 2006

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - John G. Banks Jr., 49, Springfield, Va., formerly of Bushnell, died at 5:50 a.m. Monday (April 17, 2006) in Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Va.

He was born Jan. 28, 1957, in Hohenwald, Tenn., the son of John G. and Rosalie Craig Banks.

Surviving are a son, John C. Banks, Davenport, Iowa; four daughters, Joy G. Bewley, Galesburg, Ill., Jontae R. Banks and Kristie L. Banks, both of Davenport, Iowa, and Corrine N. Ertel, Chicago; his stepfather, Tom Lacourse, Bushnell, Ill.; a brother, Duke A. Banks, Bushnell, Ill.; two sisters, Rose M. Medina, Galesburg, Ill., and Sheila F. Cicalo, Escondido, Calif.; two stepbrothers, Larry "Bogie" Lacourse and Tim Lacourse, both of Bushnell, Ill.; two stepsisters, Jeannie Phillips, Indianapolis, Ind., and Debbie Raymond, Galesburg, Ill.; and a grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He graduated from Bushnell-Prairie City High School in 1975, and Robert Morris Junior College, Carthage, where he majored in business management.

He entered the Army in 1986 and had reached the rank of Master Sergeant. He served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.

He traveled the world while in the military and enjoyed motorcycling, sporting events, the outdoors in general along with all outdoor activities.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Martin-Hollis Funeral Home, Bushnell, with the Rev. Daniel R. Siems officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation and military rites will be accorded following the service at the funeral home.