Individual Details

Death

Ila Thompson Banta 83, passed away peacefully at home on November 5, 2007. She was born on September 3, 1924 in Indianapolis. Ila always smiled and loved to make others smile as well. She was a 40 year member of St. Mark Catholic Parish. Bowling was one of her favorite pastimes. She bowled for years at both Sports Bowl and Raceway Lanes. She was also accomplished in many forms of needlepoint, especially cross stitch. She even won recognition from the Indiana State Fair for her cross stitch pieces. In 1942, she married Joseph Clements. They were happily married for 13 years. He preceded her in death in 1954. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Thomas Banta. She is also survived by children, Pamela (Bill) Rosier, Joseph Clements, James Clements, Janice (Del) Woods, Teri (Earl) Furr, Darlene (Jeff) Abplanalp, Thomas (Kim) Banta, Jr., a daughter-in-law, Carol Clements, a sister, Rowena (Ray) Pelton, her informally adopted son, Urich Wolnik, 22 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her children, Mark Clements, Mary Eileen Banta; brothers, Orville and John Thompson and sisters, Grace O' Conner and Helen Thompson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Hospice or St. Mark Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 11:30am at St. Mark Church. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3pm until 8pm at Daniel F. O'Riley Funeral Home where morning prayers will be said on Thursday at 11am prior to Mass. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 7, 2007