Charles T. Banta

Charles T. Banta, 86, of Springfield, passed away Friday, February 2, 2007, at 7:50 p.m. in Mercy Villa Nursing Home. He was born in Springfield on August 28, 1920, to Charles A. and Alta Bass Banta. He was a 1938 graduate of Springfield Senior High School. After attending SMS, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Fighter Pilot during World War II, serving at Pearl Harbor for 18 months. After being honorably discharged from military service in 1945, Charles returned home to Springfield and was married to the former Margaret Jezzard September 24, 1945. He joined his father-in-law, Paul Jezzard, at Jezzard Fruit Co. that same years. As the size and scope of the business increased over the years it was renamed Banta Foods Inc. in 1982. He was an active member of the National Fruit and Vegetable Association and was a Past Board Member of the Missouri Restaurant Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in Kansas City in 1987. He was a Harris Fellow of Rotary International and a member of Downtown Rotary and had also served as a Trustee of The Springfield Family Y. Charles was an avid golfer and member of Hickory Hills Country Club. He was also a member of Christ Episcopal Church. Earlier in life he had suffered two heart attacks and later a major stroke in 1994. He became an active participant in the Stroke Copers Group and was an outreach volunteer and speaker for the American Stroke Association and was an inspiration for many stroke survivors. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leonard and Cecil. He is survived by his loving wife of over 61 years, Margaret, of the home; daughters, Kathy Lindstrom and husband, Roger, Springfield, Barbara Bell and husband, Barry, St. Louis; son Charles T. "Chuck" Banta Jr. and wife, Beth, Springfield; seven grandchildren, Greg Lindstrom and wife, Beth, Springfield, Meg Lindstrom Gregory and husband, Mike, Vail, Colo., Amy Bell and Allison Bell, both of St. Louis, Charles T. "Chase" Banta III, Lindsay Banta and Tessa Banta, all of Springfield; one great-grandson, Kellen Lindstrom; and a nephew, Steve Banta, Springfield. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at 11 a.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Chumbley officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 601 E. Walnut, Springfield, MO 65806; or American Heart Association, 2446 E. Madrid, Springfield, MO 65804.