John Albert "Johnny" Banks, 72, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025,at 9:27 a.m., leaving this world the same way he lived in it—on his own terms – peacefully in his favorite chair with a cup of coffee, and possibly thinking about the next Alabama football game.

Born on April 11, 1952, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to Norman L. Banks and Dolores (Reed) Banks. Johnny grew up with nine brothers and sisters. His surviving siblings, Mike and Matt (Cathie) Mabry of Elkhart, Cynthia (Mike) Johansen, Norma (Bernie) Kretschmer, and Rita (Doug) Andresen, will miss his uncanny ability to lighten up any family gathering.

Preceding Johnny in death were his beloved son Joseph N. "Joe" Banks, brothers Paul Banks,Randy, and David Mabry, and his stepfather Donald "Don" Mabry, the man who took up the torch after Norman passed away. Though they're no longer here, we're pretty sure Johnny has already found them and is cracking jokes about the afterlife's dress code. Joe warned him to make sure to bring a bowtie....

Johnny's greatest accomplishment was somehow convincing the beautiful Reenet E. Petersen to marry him in 1975. They spent nearly 50 years together, and Johnny, ever the planner, had big anniversary plans for his sweet wife. Rumor had it that he was taking Reenet to Hawaii for their 50th and that on their 55th or 60th anniversary he planned to go back and pick her up.

Johnny's legacy lives on in his daughters, Jennifer S. Strukel of Bristol and Justine D. Adams of Elkhart, who inherited his humor, wit, and appreciation for a well-placed dad joke. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Kora Quick, Meleena Strukel, Mark Adams III and Madison Adams, all of whom had the honor of hearing Johnny's legendary stories and witnessing his unmatched ability to find a hat for every occasion. Seriously, over the years, he amassed more than 500 hats—enough to stock a small haberdashery. If you needed a hat that said, "World's Best Grandpa" or "Alabama Forever" or "I Like Beer", Johnny had it.

He is also survived by a boatload of extended family, including generations of nieces and nephews, in-laws, outlaws, and work buddies who still owe him a hat from their last vacation. He also leaves behind his loyal lap dog, Sadie, and his adopted feline accomplice, Borden the "trash cat", whom Johnny heroically rescued after being hit by a Borden trash truck—proving once and for all that cats do, in fact, have nine lives (and at least one really good lawyer).

Johnny spent nearly 30 years working as a machinist at Excel Corporation, later Atwood Products. Before that, he served honorably in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War, where he maintained heavy motorized diesel equipment and perfected the fine art of looking busy when the sergeant walked by, not to mention the art of drinking beer.

A true 70s rock aficionado, Johnny had a vinyl collection that could make a record store jealous. His prized possession was his high-end stereophonic sound system, which he bought in Germany and used to transport himself into the worlds of Frank Zappa, The Eagles, and Yes. Many a night he could be found chilling in the living room, lost in the complexities of old-school rock, much to the bewilderment of his children, who just wanted to listen to something that did not have eight-minute drum solos; though I am sure they enjoyed it.

He was a dedicated IU basketball and Alabama football fan—a fact that his Irish-loving wife never let him live down. Saturdays in the Banks household meant yelling at the TV and blaming referees for personal misfortunes. He was, however, first and foremost, his children's and grandchildren's number one fan. His daughters fondly recall the Saturdays when Mom worked, and the house filled up with neighborhood kids. Johnny would lead the charge on neighborhood bike rides, ensuring every kid got the full Johnny Banks experience—jokes, stories, and even a dip in the creek.

In accordance with his wishes, Johnny's family will host a brief visitation at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. Though Johnny specifically requested "no fuss", U.S. Army Funeral Honors will be rendered at 5:00 p.m., because even in the afterlife, he can't get out of military protocol. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and the Elkhart County Veterans Honor Guard will be present to ensure he gets a proper send-off.

Johnny Banks was the kind of guy who could make a whole room laugh, lighten any mood, and remind you that life, much like his vinyl collection, is best enjoyed with good company and the volume turned up high. Though he's moved on to the great beyond, you can be sure he's already found the best seat, told a few jokes, and started organizing a celestial rock concert where Zappa is headlining.

So, here's to Johnny Banks—husband, father, grandfather, brother, veteran, friend, and the undisputed champion of one-liners. May his memory live on, his music play loud, and his hats always fit just right.