Obituary of Johann Banks

Johann L. Banks, 88, passed from this life to a place of peace surrounded by her beloved family on February 8, 2012 at her home in Stow, Ohio. The daughter of Cecelia and Arthur Laudenslager, Johann was born in Jamestown, New York on January 9, 1924. Johann graduated from Jamestown High School in 1941, and received a B.A. in Spanish from The College of Wooster in 1945. She worked as an Executive Secretary at Goodyear, where she met her future husband, James P. Banks, on a blind date. They married on May 31, 1952, and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May. They were completely in love and devoted to each other throughout their marriage. Perhaps you knew Jo as a talented gardener, and past president of the River Estates Garden Club in Cuyahoga Falls. You may have volunteered beside her in the Food Cupboard at First Congregational Church of Akron, where she was twice a member of the Diaconate. Maybe you shared sisterhood with her in PEO, helping to find ways to assist and support higher education for women. You may have sat near Jo as she enjoyed Akron Symphony concerts at E. J. Thomas Hall, the venue that her husband, Jim Banks, helped bring to life while Director of Development at The University of Akron. For many years, you could find her in the stands rooting for the Akron “Zips” or her own Wooster “Fighting Scots”. Perhaps you knew her as a “Rotary Ann”, proudly supporting Jim in his role as Governor of Rotary International District 6630 from 1978 to 1979; and dedicated to the mission of “Service Above Self” in Rotary clubs in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow for many years. If you knew Jo, surely you remember how she would beam whenever her talented son, Dave, played lead trumpet with his own Dave Banks Big Band. Or the pride she felt as daughter Cherie accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award from Kent State University’s School of Visual Communication Design. Johann was preceded in death by her mother and father, Cecelia and Arthur Laudenslager. She is survived by her beloved husband, James P. Banks, and children: daughter Cheryl Banks Meyers (Jonathan), and son David Banks (Deborah); granddaughters Lia Kane, Emelie Valentine, and Lily Valentine; grandsons Jordan Banks, Evan Banks, Dustin Wilkinson and Jason Wilkinson; and her brother, Arthur E. Laudenslager, Jr. (Margaret). A celebration of her life will be held at First Congregational Church of Akron on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 4:00 pm, followed by a reception in the church dining room. The James P. Banks Irrevocable Trust has been established for the benefit of her husband, Jim. A portion of the trust will also fund the James P. and Johann L. Banks Scholarship through the Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Foundation. Please, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the trust may be made payable to Cheryl Banks Meyers, Trustee, FBO James P. Banks, P.O. Box 670217, Northfield, OH 44067. Contributions in Johann’s memory may also be made to the First Congregational Church of Akron for the Food Cupboard or the PEO Sisterhood, AJ Chapter, for the Program for Continuing Education.