Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 10/22/02

Charles E. Banacka

Jan. 11, 1917 - Oct. 20, 2002

MISHAWAKA — Charles E. Banacka, 85, of Fulmer Road, died Sunday in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Survivors include his wife, Winnetta; three sons, Richard of Mishawaka, Edward of Corona, Calif., and Carl of Osceola; and a sister, Betty Brinkman of Mishawaka. Services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 N. Main St., where friends may call two hours before services.

Submitted by: Dan Rich (added 01/20/2007)

Charles E. Banacka

Jan. 11, 1917 - Oct. 20, 2002

South Bend Tribune 10/23/2002

Charles E. Banacka, 85, of Fulmer Road, Mishawaka, Ind., died at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He was born in South Bend, Ind., on Jan. 11, 1917, and had lived in this area most of his life.

Charles was a World War II Army veteran, a member of American Legion Post #161, a former member of Club 15, a Cub Scout master in Osceola, Ind., an associate member of the FOP, an umpire of little league in Osceola, and was a member of Mishawaka Civil Defense, which he helped to start. He retired in 1979 from the Mishawaka Street Department and had formerly been employed at Christianson's Furniture Store for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven and Flossie (Gridley) Banacka; five brothers, Ted, James, Joe, Dale and Bobby; and by a sister, Marian Helenburg.

Mr. Banacka married the former Winnetta Peiffer in South Bend on April 4, 1942. Surviving with his wife of 60 years, Winnetta, are three sons, Richard Banacka of Mishawaka, Edward (Darcie) Banacka of Corona, Calif., and Carl (Brenda) Banacka of Osceola, Ind.; a sister, Betty Brinkman of Mishawaka; nine grandchildren, Laurie Noss, Steve Banacka, Scott Banacka, Wendy Banacka, Sam Banacka, Shawn Bright, Cody Bright, Pam Schnakenberg and Mary Kay Bowers; and eight great-grandchildren. Charles was very well-known as a self-taught card trick performer, and was invited to parties and get-togethers to entertain the guests with card tricks.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka, where funeral services will be held at 7 p.m.