Larry Dean Banker of Lake Barrington, IL passed away suddenly on September 29, 2017. He was born on March 6, 1939 and was preceded in death by his father, John D. Banker and mother Charlotte (Petersohn) Banker. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Smith); son, Bradley; daughter, Marni Sullivan; brother, Terry and his wife Terry (Livingston); brothers-in-law, James Hopp and Frank Smith; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Smith) Hopp and Marla (Nemenoff) Smith; nephews, Terry Banker and Tom Reid; nieces, Jill (Ochoa) and Janeen Banker and son-in-law, Rick Sullivan and precious granddaughter, Madeline Charlotte Sullivan.
Larry graduated from East Aurora High School in 1957 and from North Central College in 1963. He had a 40 year successful business career with several consumer products companies earning several regional and national awards for outstanding sales performance. He also had an exceptional musical talent and a lifelong love of music. He be began singing solos in churches at an early age and won a contest as a boy tenor at the age of 11 on a major Chicagoland radio show. He was part of a popular high school quartet called The Discorders whose recording of My Hula Hula Lulu charted higher than Elvis and Sam Cooke locally. His love of music continued throughout his life and nurtured a similar passion in his son and daughter. His wife Barb was the fortunate benefactor of regular evening concerts at the piano while she prepared dinner.
His proudest accomplishments, however, were his son Brad, his daughter Marni, and 52 year marriage to his wife Barb. More recently he was blessed with a son-in-law who topped even his high expectations and a granddaughter who was his greatest joy and favorite playmate.
Larry loved Cubs, the sun, sandy beaches, boating, being on or near any body of water, and a good chardonnay. After retirement he became a voracious reader and always welcomed or initiated debates with anyone on controversial issues.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 7, at the Healy Chapel at 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL with a visitation from 12:00 to 2:00 PM followed immediately by a celebration to honor Larry’s life at 2:00 PM. The committal service will follow at Spring Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that everyone share a good bottle of wine with loved ones and friends and toast to Larry’s life well-lived. Any donations should go to the donor’s charity of choice.
For further information please call 630-897-9291 or visit www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.
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