Donamae M (Miller) Banning Obituary (1921 - 2012)

Donamae Banning, age 90, died peacefully on Thursday evening, March 8, 2012, at Friends Fellowship Health Care, surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on August 31, 1921, to Cecil and Edith (Witter) Miller, Donamae spent most of her life on the family farm near Lynn, Indiana. Upon graduation from Spartanburg High School and Richmond Business College, Donamae purchased her first tract of farm land with her father's encouragement. She married John W Banning on January 1, 1944, and the couple shared many years of happiness as their farm operation grew. Although they did not have children of their own, six nieces and nephews filled many hours of her and her husband's life on the Banning farm near Spartanburg. Donamae enjoyed a good game of Chinese checkers, dining out with family and friends, spending time with Rural Couples, and a lifelong fellowship with the Friends Church of Lynn. Donamae moved to Friends Fellowship in Richmond after retiring from Beldon with 28 years of service. Donamae was preceded in death by her husband in 1982 and by her parents in the years following. She is survived by several cousins; by sister/brother-in-law Maribel and Phil Barnard and sister-in-law Dorothy Banning, all of Economy; by nieces Paula Hollenberg (Dan), Peggy Wasicsko (Mark), nephews Joe Barnard (Karen), Jon Barnard, Ken Banning (Jill), and Steve Banning; and several great nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by many close friends including the Alden Newman family, the Bonnie Johnston family, the Becky Davis family, the Jim Newman family, the Troy Newman family, and the Brian Newman family. She leaves behind many special friends at Friends Fellowship, including her dear Spartanburg school buddies. A service to celebrate Donamae's life will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Thomas Memorial Chapel of Lynn, IN. Family and friends may gather to share and remember from 1 to 2 pm Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Spartanburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lynn Friends Church, 311 S. Main St. Lynn, IN 47355. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonshookfuneralhomes.com.