Nelis Banninga Obituary

BANNINGA Nelis (Newt) Banninga passed peacefully in his sleep on February 16, 2005. He was born on April 25, 1923 in Muskegon, Michigan the youngest of seven children. After his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, where he became a lieutenant and pilot. He flew missions in the Pacific during WWII. Upon his return home, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Kregel, and they recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Newt retired after 37 years with Clarke Floor Machine, working in both Muskegon, Michigan and then in 1971, relocating to Jacksonville. A member of Selva Marina Country Club and an avid golfer, retirement provided more time for enjoying this activity. During his lifetime, he has had a number of golfing accomplishments including several " holes in one", winning tournaments, traveling to Scotland and England to play, and shooting his age a number of times. As a long time member of the YMCA, he enjoyed the friendships he made and time working on community projects that he was involved with over the years.Newt has been a member of the Arlington Congregational Church since moving to Jacksonville, and was an active participant in the choir. Music and fellowship with the congregation played a very important part in his life. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, sons Gary (Lisa) and Bruce and grandson Cameron. A celebration of Newt's life will be at Arlington Congregational Church 431 University Blvd N. Jacksonville on Monday February 21, 2005 at 11:00am. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in his name be made to the American Cancer Society. Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home,6940 Atlantic Blvd is in charge of arrangements. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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Published by Florida Times-Union on Feb. 20, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Nelis Banninga

9 Entries

Richard Cardell

February 28, 2005

Dottie and Family,

Newt was a wonderful part of the Adult Sunday School class at Arlington Congregational Church. Of course, choir came first and our class started early so he and other choir members could participate in both. He was always well prepared with both the lesson and a golf joke.

Charles and Carol Hasper

February 26, 2005

Dottie and Family--

You have our sympathy in this time of loss.

Jim and Terri Thornhill

February 23, 2005

Mrs. Banninga and Family,

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Banninga will be sorely missed by my family as well as HIS Outback of Regency family. We always looked forward to his jokes every Monday night. God bless you and your family.

jim II

February 23, 2005

my sympathy goes out to the friends and family keep your sprits up and a smile on your faces. As a Great Father, friend,and Husband he would want you too.

Doug Berenguer

February 22, 2005

To the Banninga's:

Thinking of you during your time of loss and transition.

Numbers 6:24-26

Rebecca Wingate

February 22, 2005

Dear Banninga Family,

As Mr. Banninga's pharmacist I have enjoyed many conversations with him. His love of his wife and of his faith were expressed often in his speech. I am blessed to have known him and will truly miss his visits to the pharmacy.

The staff at Walgreens Pharmacy Merrill Rd. would like to extend our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Arlin and Perry Lewis

February 21, 2005

Dear Dottie and Family,

As you know, I played golf with Newt weekly for the past few years and got to know him pretty well. I have never met anyone who was more kind and dignified than Newt. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. Even on the golf course, profanity was not in his vocabulary. Even on bad days, he always had a smile.

He left no doubt that he loved his family greatly. Cameron, he was thrilled that you spent the recent holidays with he and your grandmother. He also loved his Church. He kept me up to date about the choir.

I am going to miss him greatly. He not only was a dear friend, he was kind of a father figure to me.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Sincerely,

Arlin Lewis

James B & Laura Brandel

February 20, 2005

Our Deepest Sympathy

Bob McGauley

February 20, 2005

To Dottie, Gary and Bruce, my deepest sympathy. Newt was a wonderful guy, a great golfer who never minded playing with a duffer like me. When he travelled down state on business, he always made sure to leave there in time to arrive in Jax just in time to start choir rehearsal. What dedication! Choir first, then family and dinner. He always had a humorous atory to share with the choir. He will be sorely missed by them---and me.

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