John M. Banks

"> John M. Banks
John M. Banks, 84, of Bethlehem, died Friday, November 23, 2007 at St. Lukes Hospital, Fountain Hill. He was born on December 19, 1922 in Campbell, Neb., the son of the late John F. and Zeta A. (Foutz) Banks. John was preceded in death by his wife, Betty-Jane N. (Wood) Banks, in 1995. He retired from Lock Joint-Interpace Corporation in 1987 after 50 years of service as an accountant. John later worked as an accountant for Arias, Union, N.J., and College Gifted Program of New Jersey, a summer camp for gifted children. John was a member of Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 313, where he was a 4th degree knight and held various positions. He was a member of the Serra Club, Bethlehem. John was a dedicated member of both St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Cedar Grove, N.J., and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Bethlehem, where he supported the church and catholic education in several capacities. He was a lay minister at St. Lukes Hospital, Fountain Hill. John was proud of his Swedish and Midwestern roots. He enjoyed playing bridge as well as listening to opera and big band music. John will be lovingly remembered by his family, daughters, Marguerite A. Caso of Hershey and Mary Therese Marchetti of Bethlehem Township, sons, James L. Banks of Austin, Texas, John P. Banks of Bethlehem Township, Thomas M. Banks of Tampa, Fla., and Patrick J. Banks of Houston, Texas, sister, Shirley Stean of Hastings, Neb., brother, Fred Banks of Dexter, Maine, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was predeceased by his sister, Betty Parks. Services: Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2007, and from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2007, all at Connell Funeral Home Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 3219 Santee Rd., Bethlehem. The family invites anyone interested in attending the burial service to join them at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, N.J. Online condolences may be made at www.connellfuneral.com. Contributions: May be made to Knights of Columbus Memorial Fund, c/o Trinity Council, P.O. Box 1427, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1427.