MOUNDS, Ill. -- George A. Bankson, 87, of Mounds passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at his home.
He was born Sept. 14, 1927, at Olmsted, Illinois, son of Nello Everett and Edna M. Calvin Bankson Sr.
George was a World War II Army veteran.
He was a member of Caledonia Community Church in Olmsted, where he delivered for the church food pantry. He was a teacher at Pulaski Grade School, former owner of a gas station in Pulaski, Illinois, and the Pulaski Cafe, and retired as an administrator from the state of Illinois Public Aide Office in Mounds.
George was a former member of Liberty Cemetery Board and Pulaski County Fair Board. He was grand marshall of the Pulaski County Fair Parade in 2011. He was an avid gardener.
Survivors include a son, James "Dino" (Kim) Bankson of Olive Branch, Illinois; a daughter, Patty Kendrick of Marion, Illinois, (Cole Kendrick of Stiritz, Illinois); a sister, Dawn (George) Lackey of Anna, Illinois; five grandchildren, Angela Belcher, Cindy Hermetz, Billy and Clint Kendrick and Carrie Newton; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patsy L. Bankson on July 29, 2014; a son, George A. Bankson; a sister, Wanda Ervin; two infant sisters, Joyce and Thelma Bankson; and two brothers, Jim Bill Bankson and Nello Everette Bankson Jr.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at Caledonia Community Church.
The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with Bill Littrell and the Rev. John Windings officiating. Interment will be in Liberty Cemetery east of Pulaski. Full military honors will be conducted by the Illinois National Guard Burial Team and area veterans.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to Caledonia Community Church or Liberty Cemetery in memory of George A. Bankson.
Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements.
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