Johanna (Purl) Banks

Joann Banks, 75, died Thursday (May 25, 2006) at Newton Medical Center.

She was born May 6, 1931, to the late Thomas T. and Myrtle F. (Downey) Purl Jr. in Guthrie, Okla. After graduating from high school, she met and married Charles E. Banks Aug. 10, 1957, in Hebron, Neb. He preceded her in death Sept. 29, 1989.  After raising her eight children, she retired from USD 373 with 23 years of faithful service in the custodial and food service departments. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir and the Missionary Society. She did community volunteer work with the Bethel College Community Play School.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sons, Vernon O. Banks and Michael E. Banks.

Visitation will be until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 30) at Broadway at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Newton. Services are at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. A memorial has been established with Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Pennsylvania in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home of Newton.