Joseph S. Banner

Joseph S. Banner, 91, of Clarion formerly of Marble, passed away at his home on July 17, 2014, with his loving family by his side.

Born on December 11, 1922 in Fryburg he was the last surviving member of the Frank and Maude Weaver Banner family.  

He graduated from Shippenville High School on May 29, 1940.  

Joseph was married on October 2, 1946 to Edith Eisenman who preceded him in death on August 9, 1997 and had celebrated 50 years together.  On September 11, 1999 Joseph was married to Rose Ann Pence Thompson who survives and they enjoyed fourteen loving years together.

He was a member of St. Michael Church in Fryburg where he served on parish council, and he was also involved in making numerous changes in the church cemetery.  After moving to Clarion he became a member of Immaculate Conception Church.  He also enjoyed services with his wife Rose Ann at the First Baptist Church in Clarion.

He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on November 22, 1942 and served as a Sergeant during World War II.  He was stationed in Florida and Washington State.  He learned Morse code and trained on the B-17 airplanes as a radio mechanic and operator.  Joseph was awarded the American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged from the service on March 6, 1946.

Joe worked at R & H Corporation as a truck driver and a spotter until it closed.  He also worked for the lumber and coal industries and retired from Georgia Pacific approximately 25 years ago.  

Some of his favorite pastimes include attending air shows, local fairs, railroad displays, country music and crossword puzzles.  He also enjoyed woodworking back at his barn, especially the beautiful nativity scenes that many relatives/friends display in their homes during the holiday season.

Joe and his wife Rose Ann enjoyed taking numerous bus trips throughout the United States and have traveled to Niagara Falls, Nashville and Disney World.  They also enjoyed attending concerts by the Keelings.  In the last few years he enjoyed watching Family Feud weeknights and Saturday night Country Music.  

Joseph is survived by his wife Rose Ann; sons Gary Banner and his wife Judy of Fryburg; Daniel Banner and wife Mary Ann of Fryburg; and Barry Banner and wife Melody of Clarion.  Daughters surviving are: Kay Gentile and husband Robert of Fryburg; Tammy Ochs and husband Sandy of Shippenville; Theresa Evans and husband Chuck of Sarasota FL; and Lou Ann Burkhardt of Lucinda.  Three step-children also survive: Barbara Visneski of Nashville TN; Roger Thompson and his wife Sue of New Bethlehem, PA; and Vickie Siegel and her husband Ed of Kingsville, PA. Also surviving are twenty grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren

Joseph was preceded in death by eleven siblings: Eugene “Rick”, Marion, Doris, Kathleen, Bernard, Cletus, Ronald, Russell, Ruth, Emma and Edward; and an infant grandson Joe.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Faller Funeral Home, Inc. in Fryburg from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 pm.  A parish vigil service will be held on Sunday at 8:30 pm in the funeral home.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 21, 2014 in Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion at 10:00 am with Rev. B. LaMounte “Monty” Sayers presiding with Dr. Don Dinniny of First Baptist Church also taking part.  

The family asks that memorials in Joseph’s name be made to Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice 271 Perkins Road Clarion, PA 16214 www.cfvna.org .  A special thank you to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice especially Heather and Mary Ann for their loving care during Joseph’s illness and passing.

Please visit www.fallerfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave a condolence.

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