Bertha O'Banion

Bertha M. O'Banion

Bertha M. O'Banion, age 90, of Wayland, MO, died Saturday, December 29, 2007, in the emergency room of Keokuk Area Hospital.

She was born May 2, 1917 at Lorens, IA, a daughter of Jerry and Geneva Pickett Dodson.

She married Raymond R. O'Banion on April 19, 1937, at Danville, IL. They both worked for Catepillar in Peoria, where they made their home. In August of 1949, he died in a tragic airplane accident while performing stunts.

Survivors include her sister, Margaret McCarty, of St. Francisville, MO; sister-in-law, Anna Marie Dodson of Keokuk, IA; as well as nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Bill; and, two brothers, Dennis and his wife, Mildred, and Lowell and his wife, Mary.

Bertha later went to work for American Can Co. in Chicago and lived there until the past four years when she moved to Wayland to be near family. She was a member of the Nazarene Church in Danville, IL and attended the St. Francisville United Methodist Church. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and listening to country music. She loved being with family and the past four years were very special to her as she spent time on the go with Margaret and visiting with her nieces and nephews and other family members.

Graveside services were held Thursday, January 3, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Fon-Du-Lac Cemetery in East Peoria, IL.

Memorials are suggested to the family.