Florence S. Banion

Florence Banion passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Boonville, Missouri on October 6, 2023. Florence was born in South Charleston, Ohio on January 17, 1929 to parents Russell and Flora (nee Peters) Saylor.

Florence grew up in South Charleston, where she attended South Charleston High School, graduating salutatorian of her class (1947). She went on to receive a cosmetologist license and practiced as a hair stylist there up until the time she married her high school sweetheart, Doc Banion, on November 19, 1950. After many years as a homemaker, she worked at various other jobs over the years as well. They were married for over 70 years before Doc’s passing in February of 2021. Their union produced six children, 21 grandchildren, and currently, 36 great grandchildren. Florence's priorities were providing for her family and devoting her life to her husband, children, extended family, and community. She was involved at Plattsburg (Ohio) Elementary School, both as a room mother and in the PTA. She was also involved at South Vienna (Ohio) United Methodist church as a nursery worker, youth group leader, Sunday School teacher, and church youth softball coach. She also invested many, many hours in lovingly and faithfully attending all the sporting events of her six children as they were growing up. After a move from Ohio to Abilene, Kansas in 1974, Doc and Florence continued to devote themselves to their ever-growing family, as well as being very active members of the First Southern Baptist Church of Abilene, where they served the Lord faithfully in various ways for almost 30 years.

Florence's grateful family will always remember her as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who invested herself wholeheartedly in others and especially served those in need. Her children will always remember how inspired she was by her favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art, and she will continue to inspire us with her life and example.

Florence is also preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings: Joe Saylor, Robert Saylor, Jim Saylor, Dorothy Owen, Frances Thompson, Marjorie Joseph, and Pat Clem.

She is survived by her children Brennan (Nanetta) Banion of Omaha, NE; Bryce (Carolyn) Banion of Kansas City, MO; Brandyn/Rock (Kendra) Banion of Richmond, KY; Kathy (Ron) Belisle of Spokane, WA; Karma (Earl) Haller of Boonville, MO; and Brek (Pam) Banion of El Dorado, KS; all of her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life services will be held in the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church of Boonville (MO) on Saturday, October 14 at 1:30pm and in South Charleston (OH) on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Southern Baptist Church of Abilene, KS. Arrangements are in the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove, MO.