Benjamin A Banning

Benjamin A. "Ben" Banning, 95 of Pana, Illinois passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at his home in Pana surrounded by loving family. A Funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pana with Father Joseph Havrilka officiating. Visitation will also be held Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Kennedy & Sons Funeral Home, Pana, Illinois. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pana Township, Illinois. Memorials in honor of Ben Banning may be made to White House Retreat. Benjamin A. "Ben" Banning was born Wednesday, August 15, 1928 in Taylorville, Illinois the son of Benjamin A. and Catherine Elizabeth (maiden name Durbin) Banning of Tower Hill, Illinois. He graduated from Tower Hill High School in 1946. Benjamin served in the United States Air Force in the Philippines and was Honorably Discharged in 1949. He married Florence “Jake” Jacob of Arcola at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville, IL on April 15, 1950. They were just shy of their 74th wedding anniversary. Ben worked for Peabody Coal Company for 41 years and retired as Mine Examiner in 1990 at age 62. Ben enjoyed his retirement and loved to fish. He enjoyed billiards, bike riding, sitting on his deck with a cup of coffee, crossword puzzles, visiting with family, circus peanuts, blue M&Ms, listening to Johnny Cash, and playing cards. Ben and wife Florence (“Jake”) had 9 Children, 20 Grandchildren, and 24 Great-Grandchildren. Ben is survived by his wife “Jake” and Children: Judith Banning of Pana, Kenneth (Mary) Banning of Pana, Phil Banning (Cheryl Taylor) of Pana, Julia (Art) Thorpe of Pana, William Banning, Janet Walk of St. Louis, MO, and Richard (Lyn) Banning of Taylorville and Sisters: Ruth Kirkpatrick of Pana, and Margaret Hines of Washington, MO. He is preceded in death by Sons: Michael and Joseph Banning, Sons-in-Law: Roger C. Durbin and Karl R. Walk, Brother: John E. Banning (Miami, FL), and five Sisters: Geraldine Haines (Taylorville, IL), Karren Stanley (Los Angeles, CA), Rosemary Clayton (Dugger, IN), Teresa Purdue (Chippewa Falls, WI), and Joann Murphy (Beach Grove, IN). Ben was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Pana. He was an active member of the community and belonged to several organizations including the Moose, American Legion, and Knights of Columbus. He was a 4th degree Knight and served as a past Grand Knight for the Pana Council #896. Ben was awarded an honor for attending 50 years at White House Retreat in St. Louis. He had fond memories of trips to the Holy Land and Hawaii with his wife, Jake, and many fishing trips including to Ontario, Canada.

Benjamin A Banning

August 15, 1928 - April 7, 2024