By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
4 Comments
  • Visitation

    Memorial Visitation:
    Saturday, December 10, 2022
    9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Memorial Service:
    Saturday, December 10, 2022
    12:00 pm
    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Roger D. Bannister, 82, of Highland, IL, passed away, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at home with his family by his side.

    He was born February 4, 1940, to Richard and Ruby (nee Zolman) Bannister in Farmington, MO. He married Betty Chilton on November 26, 1960, at Memorial Methodist Church, Farmington, MO.

    Roger grew up in Farmington, MO and graduated from Farmington High School in 1958. He then attended Flat River Junior College, where he majored in Business. Roger worked for P.N. Hirsch & Company, a St. Louis-based chain of small department stores. His job meant he and Betty lived in numerous midwestern towns before settling down in Highland in 1966. Roger started work for B-Line Systems in Highland in 1969, first as a Shipping Foreman, then as Plant Superintendant, and retiring after 33 years, in 2002, as Traffic Manager. He had a tremendous work ethic but loved having fun as well. Roger put his all into everything he did. He had a wonderful sense of humor, liked to make people laugh, and always enjoyed a good time.

    Roger loved fishing and enjoyed taking his girls to the Highland City Lake in their younger years. Over the years, he spent many Sunday afternoons fishing with friends on local lakes in his fishing boat. He took many fishing trips to Canada with his friends, returning with a commemorative baseball cap each time. Roger furnished, and cooked, all the fish for the annual family fish fry.

    Roger led an active life and enjoyed swimming at the Rec. Center three times a week, playing golf twice weekly during the season, and playing ping pong. He and Betty shared a love of travel and were especially fond of cruises. They visited the Panama Canal, Alaska, California, Mexico, and the Caribbean, to name a few destinations.

    Roger loved spending time with his family. He and Betty hosted frequent family gatherings, which always ended with a good round of cards or dominoes. A more recent tradition, the family began an annual trip to Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas.

    He attended Evangelical United Church of Christ with Betty, liked playing ping pong with the “Old Farts Ping Pong Club”, and was a member of the Highland Country Club, an avid golfer, Roger was senior club champion twice.

    He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ruby Bannister; son, Rodney Dale Bannister (in infancy); brothers, Richard Bannister Jr., Lynn “Buddy” Bannister, Eugene Bannister.

    Roger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Bannister, Highland, IL; daughters, Kimberly (Jack) Gray, St. Jacob, IL and Sheri (John) Ammann, Highland, IL; grandchildren, Zachary (Cayla) Dupureur, Chloe Dupureur, Ziven Soyka, Joshua (Taylor Prusa) Ammann, Nicholas (Rebecca) Ammann, Lucas Ammann; great grandchild, Addylynn Ammann; niece, Dianna “Pixie” (John) Helm, Doe Run, MO; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

    Memorials may be made to the Evangelical United Church of Christ or HSHS Hospice.

    Memorial Visitation: Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Memorial Service: Saturday, December 10, 2022, 12:00 pm, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Interment: at a later date

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

4 Condolences
 
  1. June Yann / December 1, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    I have known Roger and Betty for many years. Roger was just a good, nice man. May God give Betty, the girls and family strength to get through this difficult time. Prayers

  2. Connie Knebel / December 2, 2022 at 10:52 am

    I’ve known Roger and Betty since I’ve been a little girl! Roger was fun to be around and overall just a great guy! Hugs to Betty, Kim and Sherri🤗💝

  3. Julia Detmer / December 7, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    Dear Betty, Jane Rosen in formed me of your husband, Rogers passing, I am so sorry and would like to offer my sympathy. Sending my prayers for you and your family!!

  4. Dave Heim / December 10, 2022 at 10:59 am

    My condolences to Roger’s family. I had worked with him for many years at B-Line. He was always a friendly and helping individual. He loved to have fun but also knew how to get the job done. I learned a lot about getting along with fellow workers by watching and listening to his leadership. He will surely be missed by many who knew him.

Leave a Condolence or Memory: