Rachel E. Banta, 99 years old, a former resident of Willshire, Ohio, passed away at 3:25 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 in the Glenview Manor Nursing Home located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Rachel was born on August 22, 1906 in Johnston City, Illinois, the daughter of the late James Evans and the late Laura W. (Hoffman) Evans. She married the late Basil F. Banta on April 5, 1931 and he passed away on July 12, 1961. Rachel was a former member of the United Methodist Church of Willshire, Ohio; and the Eastern Star. Rachel helped her husband on their farm outside of Willshire, Ohio until his death in 1961. During the next 30 years she and her sister, Helen Evans, did sewing and making floral arrangements for weddings and graduations. Rachel and Helen moved to the home of their niece, Nancy Freidman, in Canfield, Ohio in the spring of 1995. Rachel has been at Glenview Manor Nursing Home in Mineral Ridge, Ohio since 1997. Surviving are her Sister-in-law, Marcella (Sally) Evans of Columbus, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews and cousins. Rachel was preceded in death by two brothers, James H. and Raymond Evans; and one sister, Helen E. Evans. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2006 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Howell officiating. Interment will follow in the Willshire Cemetery, Willshire, Ohio. Friends will be received from 12:00 NOON - 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2006 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana. Preferred memorials are to the Willshire United Methodist Church, Willshire, Ohio.
