Obituary of John Banks

John Wesley Banks June 25, 1926 - February 12, 2015 John Wesley Banks was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on June 25, 1926. He was one of six children born from the union of the late Laddy Virgil and the late Elcenia (Williams) Banks. John attended school in Middlesboro, Kentucky. He honorably served his country in the United States Army from the age of seventeen. He served during World War II, earning several accommodations, including the Asiatic- Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Victory medal, Good Conduct medal, two overseas bars, and the Lapel button issued. John married the love of his life, the former Lillian (Smith) Carroll on February 8, 1947 in Bowling Green, Ohio. John supported his family through employment with Jones Transfer and then by Great Lakes Trucking as a Truck Driver for 29 years. He was then employed at Tenneco for about 10 years until retiring in 1991. He had also owned Black and White Cab Company in Monroe in the 1970's. John was a private man but very involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a devout family man and truly made the most of his time with his family. He was a devoted worker, but loved to fish on his time off. John Wesley Banks, age 88 of Monroe, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Wellspring Lutheran Services with his family by his side. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by his wife of sixty-six years, Lillian; brothers: Jay Archie Banks, Franklin Banks, and Arthur Banks; sisters: Edith Bingham and Helen Thomas; and great-grandchild: Jonathon Monday. To cherish his memory, John leaves his daughter Janet (Gary) Simmons of Monroe, grandchildren: Kim (John) Monday, Rod (Miho) Simmons, Gary J Simmons Sr. of Monroe, and Mark (Heather) Simmons of Temperance; great-grandchildren: Cassandra, Kayla, Gary Jr, Ethan, Alex, Julia, Rheanna, Adilyn, and Asher; great-great-grandchildren: Isaac, Jay, Dallas, and Jonathon II; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Monday, February 16, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service South Monroe, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of His Life will follow at 2:00pm with Reverend Jim Walker from Bible Fellowship Church officiating. Procession will follow to the Historic Woodland Cemetery for burial Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.