Don Bankson's Obituary
Don Dean Bankson, age 79 of Mystic, Iowa died December 24, 2006 at the Centerville Nursing and Rehab, Centerville, Iowa.
Don was born September 12, 1927 in Mystic, Iowa the son of Miles and Blanche (Coates) Bankson. He was raised in Mystic and graduated from Mystic High School. At the age of seventeen he joined the Navy and a year later became a mechanic for the Navy Blue Angels and traveled with them for three years. After being discharged he went to Indian Hills and later went to North-east Missouri State University where he received his BS and Masters. Don taught and was in administration at schools in Leclede, Bucklin, Lenard, Frankford and Clarksville, Missouri. He later moved to Iowa with his family and taught at Allerton and Wayne Community, where he retired after twenty-one years as an industrial arts teacher. He was united in marriage on December 31, 1953 to Mildred (Crouse), she survives.
Don is survived by his wife, seven children, Linda (Dennis) Hammack of Elsberry, Missouri, Judy Stokke of Oslo, Norway, Deborah (Earl) Fenton of Mystic, Iowa, Kevin (Jeanine) Bankson of Centerville, Iowa, Craig (Michelle) Bankson of Centerville, Iowa, Donna (Rick) Zaputil of Mystic, Iowa, Denise (Clay) Repp of Centerville, Iowa, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Betty Thompson of Davenport, Iowa, Patricia (Ron) Clausen of Pekin, Illinois, Marge (Ron) Schaden of Davenport, Iowa, sister-in-laws, Genevive Crouse of Green City, Missouri, Helen Crouse of Trenton, Missouri, Loretta Bankson of Davenport, Iowa, Dorothy McNabb of Madrid, Iowa and a brother-in-law Keith (Margaret) Crouse of Unionville, Missouri and Mary Lou Bankson of Whittier, California.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, a son, John Scott and a grandson, Wyatt Dean Voth, his brothers, Lee, Wallace, Marvin and Larry Bankson, and a infant sister Judy, brother and sister in laws, Leo (Ruby) Crouse, Ferrel Crouse, Paul Crouse, Forrest (Vi) Crouse, Milford (Bernadine) Crouse, Lee McNabb. Don raised beagles and enjoyed rabbit hunting. He loved spending his summers fishing, working in his garden and flower beds and working in his wood shop. He enjoyed the grandkids and great grandkids. He was a great teacher to his students and to his family. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held 2 PM, Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, Centerville with Dennis Hammack and Pastor Mark Waites officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow at the Highland Cemetery, Mystic, Iowa. Friends may call the funeral home all day Saturday with the family present 12-2 PM. A memorial has been established to the Highland Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S 18th St., Centerville, IA 52544.
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