Jean Banks, 82, dies

Columbus, OH — Jean M. Banks, 82, of Sandwich, Ill., died March 7, 2019.

She was born Jan. 10, 1937, in Decatur, Ill., the daughter of William and Louise (Grathwohl) Schalla. She married Lester E. Banks on Dec. 26, 1970, in Moline, Ill.

Mrs. Banks started out her nursing career in 1958 in the Quad Cities, then continued her career at Copley Hospital in Aurora, Ill., with her final place of work being a Transplant Nurse at Met Life where she retired in 1992.

She was a member of Moline Lutheran Church and later became a member of the United Methodist Church of Sandwich. She was a member of the Speedy Fillies Organization.

She enjoyed watching horse racing and Hallmark movies. She was a creative painter, enjoyed reading a good book, and had a great love for Christmas, which led to her collecting Santa Clauses. She made sure her Sandwich Fair toothpick holder collection was always up to date. She was a longtime owner of Standardbred horses. Her greatest love of all was the time she spent with her family and her dog Sophie which will miss her tremendously.

She is survived by her husband, Les; children, Rodney (Leesa), Jay (Linda) Leonard, Scott, Gay (George) Leonard-Jahad, Rhonda (Lonnie) Newton, Frank (MaryBeth), Jody (Ronda) Leonard and Raymond; brother, William (Julie) Schalla; brother-in-law, Dwight (Teri); grandchildren, Glenn, Catie, Bekky, Andy, Jared, Leslie, Randee, Sheila, John, Cassandra, Julia, and Becky; great-grandchildren, Garett, Emit, Wyette, Haily, Tyler, Kayla, Annah, Ryan, Ruthee, Payton, Haley, McKenna, Robbie, MaryJo, Frankie, Sammie, Gavin, Elsie, and Charlotte; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Patty.

Funeral Service will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday (March 10) at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk with Pastor Steven Mindrup, and Pastor Leon McClimans officiating. Eulogy will be given by her cousin, Don. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home in Somonauk. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday (March 11) at Flora Cemetery in Cherry Valley, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Divine Hospice in Yorkville, Ill.

For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com.

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