Banta - Theron Samuel
THERON SAMUEL (T.S.) Banta
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 7-Feb-1972 p 1
Waveland - Theron Samuel Banta, 81, watchmaker and banker, died Sunday in Lake View Hospital at Danville, Ill, after being seriouly ill two weeks. Mr. Banta owned & operated Banta's Watch Shop here since 1944 and was assistant cashier at the State Bank of Waveland for 25 years. He was a certified master watchmaker byt he American Watchmakers Institute. He was a graduate of New Richmond HS, Indiana State Normal College at Terre Haute and Zaner College of Penmanship at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Banta taught school at Center, Kirkpatrick, Linden and Waveland for many years. He hand-engrossed diplomas for Wabash College from 1917-1967. During that time he engraved more than 4,000 diplomas. He was presented the Honorary Alumnus Award fromt he college in 1964. Mr. Banta was a member of the Waveland United Methodist Church where he taught the Men's Bible Class. He was past master of Waveland Lodge 300 F&AM a past patron of Waveland OES, a member of Scottish Rite at Indianapolis, past president and life member of Indiana Watchmakers Association and an honorary life member of Waveland Alumni Association. He was born Feb 12, 1891, at New Richmond, a son of Thomas W. and Florence Baxter Banta. He was married May 6, 1914 at Crawfordsville to Delia Marcrum. Surviving are the widow, a son, J. Myron Banta of Waveland; a daughter, Mrs. Virginia Sharpe of Crawfordsville; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jean Banta of Waveland; two brothers, George of Veedersburg and Basle of Gary; three grandchildren; four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Machledt & Servies Funeral Home here with Rev. John VanVactor officiating. Interment will be in Liberty Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. today. - kbz
Note: The Bantas were my grandparents neighbors and wonderful ones they were too. Mr. Banta would come over and mow their yard occassionally if someone was sick or something happened in the family. When I'd tell him, "I'll get it, or the boys will," he would just smile and say, "Oh, Karen, it's just the neighborly thing to do!" The man could fix any clock or watch no matter what! He was amazing! Great people!! - kbz