Julia Marie Banter
Julia Marie Banter, 92, Pierceton, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester. She had been a resident of Peabody for the past two years.
Born in Kokomo Aug. 5, 1928, she was the daughter of Paul Jehu and Ruth Ethel Hutchcroft Wickersham. She and her family moved to Bunker Hill in 1937. She was a 1947 graduate of Bunker Hill High School. In 1949, she married John W. Sonafrank Jr., who passed away unexpectedly in 1967. In 1969, she married Chester R. Banter in Gallatin, Tenn. He passed away in 1997.
Julia spent most of her working career as receptionist at the Kokomo-Center Township School Corporation administrative office, from which she retired in 1985 after over 30 years of service. After retirement, she and her second husband moved from Marion to their cottage on Kuhn Lake in Pierceton.
She is survived by a sister, Marilyn (Charles) Linn, of Fort Wayne; stepgrandsons: Rich Banter, of Peru; and Gary Banter, of Texas; stepgreat-grandson, Jennings Banter; 10 nieces, 10 nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie Sonafrank; brother, Paul Thomas Wickersham; and stepson, Russell Banter.
Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at Allen Funeral Home, 136 S. Elm St, Bunker Hill. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 23, with calling one hour before the service at Allen Funeral Home. The Rev. Norm Snyder will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru.
Julia’s family acknowledges the staff of Peabody Retirement Community for the excellent care she received while a resident there.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made in Julia’s memory to Bunker Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 487, Bunker Hill, IN 46914; or Bennetts Switch Community Church, 2261 State Rd. 18, Kokomo, IN 46901.