Dana Bannister

Dana E. Bannister, age 56, of Chillicothe, IL, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at OSF. St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Dana was born on August 7, 1967 in Peoria, IL to Robert and Alice (Emmitt) Bannister.  

Surviving are his children, Raymond (Rachel) Gorra of San Diego, CA and Leah Bannister of Tinley Park, IL; his grandchildren, Ryder, Rex and Rocklynn; his father, Robert; his ex-wife, Loretta Bannister; his siblings, Brad (Robin) Bannister of Chillicothe, IL, Patti (Jeff) Williams of Buckeye, AZ, Craig (Sheila) Bannister of Chillicothe, IL and Adele (Robert) Spell of Stafford, VA; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice; his brother, Alan Bannister; and his nephew, Drew Bannister.

Dana graduated from Illinois Valley Central in 1985. He served for six years in the United States Navy on the USS Robinson (DD-562) and then was a self-employed auto parts trader.  He was a member of the Classic Chevy Club of San Diego and the WTP Rocks.  When Dana was younger, He was quite the little league baseball player creating fear and age controversy around the county because of his height and throwing abilities.  He enjoyed fishing, watching sunsets, sitting down by the river watching his squirrel and the birds.  He enjoyed Grecian Gardens, making breakfast for dinner, peanut M&Ms and disliked peas!  Dana was always making people laugh, getting a rise out of other’s emotions and irritating his momma.  He was a master bargain shopper and quite the handy man, Mr. Fix-it, always willing to help others with odd jobs.  Most of all, Dana loved his family and friends

Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 4pm to 6pm at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, IL.  A private family service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Drew’s Plots, in which Dana was a big supporter.