John P. Banyon

John Portman Banyon, 94, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on Saturday May 6, 2006, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, MI. John was born on January 31, 1912, in Benton Harbor, to Walter E. and Evelyn (Portman) Banyon. He was a life-long Benton Harbor resident. John graduated from Benton Harbor High School and Kalamazoo College. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps earning the rank of captain. He served in the European theater war zone. Following the war, John continued his career with the then Indiana & Michigan Electric Co. (later rename AEP) that began as a meter tester in 1935. He held various engineering, sales and managerial jobs in the greater Benton Harbor service area and was named I & M division manager in 1963. He remained with the power company until his retirement in 1977. A prominent figure in community affairs, he was a member of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club, active in the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor, MEMBER OF Economic Club, past chairman of the Twin Cities Airport Board, and past chairman of the Twin Cities (now Cornerstone) Chamber of Commerce. John loved golfing, fishing, duck hunting and the University of Michigan football. With his infectious smile and warm and friendly personality, he was kind and modest to a fault. Survivors include his sister Belzora Page of Watervliet, his nephew Jack E. (Karol) Banyon of Benton Harbor, his niece Susan Page Furda of Dexter, MI; two grand nieces and seven grand nephews. Other survivors include cousins Stephen M. (Hilda) Banyon of St. Joseph, Stanley W. (Jill) Banyon of Syracuse, IN, and Linda A. (Banyon) Lewis of Fishers, IN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret on August 31, 2004, and his brother Campbell C. Banyon. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10 AM Wednesday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph. Burial will follow at the family plot in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor; with military Rites conducted. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor, Humane Society of SW Michigan or Hospice At Home. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com