White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Fairbank – Lester J. Bantz, 84 years old, of Fairbank, Iowa, died on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at his home in Fairbank.  He was born on August 4, 1935, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Maurice Daniel and Pearl Isabella (Anderson) Bantz.  He went to high school in Independence.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958.  On August 21, 1959, he and the former Gloria Jean Ohl were married in Fairbank.  Mr. Bantz worked at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo for 25 years.  He also worked at Don’s Truck Sales in Fairbank.  He retired in 1999.  Mr. Bantz liked to spend time hunting, fishing, and gardening.  He enjoyed playing horseshoes and slow pitch softball.  Most of all, he enjoyed raising his children and spending time with his grandchildren.  In later years he developed an appreciation of the slot machines at the local casinos.

Mr. Bantz is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gloria, 5 daughters, Brenda (Nick) Crumbaker of Arlington, Texas, Angie (Clark) Derhammer of Swisher, Iowa, Lanette (Scott) Butters of Fayette, Iowa, Jodi (Craig) Smith of Atkins, Iowa, and Jennifer (Denis) Kramer of Hazleton, Iowa, 2 sons, Jamie Bantz of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jay (Amber) Bantz of Fairbank, 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 sister, Bonnie Bantz of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, Carroll Bantz, Keith Bantz, Dallas Bantz, and Wendell Bantz (in infancy), and 2 sisters, Doris Foley and Shirlee Roepke.

As he wished, there will be no services.