Gordon Banasik

Gordon Banasik passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019, into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Gordon was born on October 13, 1929, in Langdon, North Dakota. After the loss of his father at a young age, he was raised by his mother, Frieda Banasik, later wed to Charlie Green. Gordon was the second youngest of 7 children. After graduating from high school, Gordon completed a two-year printing course at Wahpeton State School of Science in North Dakota, which prepared him for his future career in printing. Gordon served in the U.S. Airforce for four years before being honorably discharged. He began work at the Redfield Press in Redfield, South Dakota where he met the love of his life, Carol Joan Banasik. They enjoyed sixty-two years of marriage until Joan’s passing in 2016. Together they moved to Germany in 1954 where Gordon worked for Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, and where their two eldest sons were born.

In 1959, Gordon and Joan moved to Watervliet, Michigan, where they purchased The Watervliet Record, which they owned until March, 1984. Gordon was subsequently employed in the prep department at Patterson Printing in Benton Harbor for 11 years, and at Imperial Printing Company’s layout/prep department in St. Joe for 10 years. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Gordon was active in the Watervliet Lions Club. He was a member of the Watervliet and then the Coloma United Methodist Church for many years.

Gordon is survived by his five children: Barry (Karen) Banasik of Webster, New York; Ben (Betsy) Banasik of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; Barbara (Rick) Stock of Granger, Indiana; Bob (Sheila) Banasik, Coloma, Michigan; Brad (MaryJo) Banasik, Okemos, Michigan; brothers Jack and Allyn Banasik; sister Donna Foreman; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gordon’s family will host a visitation, celebration of life, and luncheon on Friday, November 29 at the Coloma United Methodist Church, 144 S Church St., Coloma, MI 49038. The visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the funeral service will start at approximately at 11:00 am, which will be followed by the luncheon in the basement of the church.

Memorials may be made to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, 1101 S Scott Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879.

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