Cover photo for Sonia Banwart's Obituary
Sonia Banwart Profile Photo
1934 Sonia 2015

Sonia Banwart

September 15, 1934 — September 12, 2015

Eureka- Sonia J. Banwart, 80, of Eureka, IL, passed away at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

She was born on September 15, 1934, in Peoria, IL, to William and Edna Kelly Klein. She married Joel E. Banwart on November 18, 1962, in Peoria, IL. He survives.

Also surviving are her five children, Jeff (Lisa) Banwart of Eureka; Bill Banwart of Vail, CO; Ann Milborn of Carmel, IN; Joan (Francis) Franke of Evergreen, CO; Ellen (Mike) Anders of Tolono, IL; six sisters, Milly (Jack) Prather of Eureka; Ruth (Randy) Kellenberger of Washington, IL; Linda (Lyle) Wettstein of Gridley, IL; Evie (Eugene) Heinold of LaCrosse, IN; Elaine Haines of Mesa, AZ; Rita (Ron) Sweetin of Loveland, CO; one brother, Dave Klein of Peoria; eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Mary Wilson, and one brother, John Klein.

Sonia graduated from Woodruff High School in 1952 and worked ten years at Caterpillar. After raising her family, she worked part-time at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka and later worked for Nussbaum Trucking, retiring in 2000.

Sonia was a member of the Eureka Apostolic Christian Church and was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was baptized in the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church in 1950.

Sonia's many friends appreciated her enthusiastic approach to life. She loved conversation, playing the piano and singing, traveling with her family, and baking homemade treats, especially her signature chocolate chip cookies. She also loved helping others and was a volunteer at OSF, delivering flowers and mail to patients, as well as at the Heart House in Eureka.

Sonia devoted most of her life to raising her five children. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who brought much happiness to her husband and family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved having them in her home.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 15, at 10 a.m. at the Eureka Apostolic Christian Church. Church ministers will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka or to the American Lung Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at argoruestmanharris.com.

To send a memorial gift to the family of Sonia J. Banwart, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Visitation

SEP 14. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Ruestman-Harris - El Paso
40 West Main Street
El Paso, IL 61738

Visitation

SEP 15. 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM (CDT)

Eureka Apostolic Christian Church


Funeral service

SEP 15. 10:00 AM (CDT)

Eureka Apostolic Christian Church


To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sonia J. Banwart, please visit our floral store.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Sonia Banwart, please visit our flower store.

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