Richard Bannister

BANNISTER, Richard James, 73, died in Sarasota, Florida while on vacation on October 25, 2007. He served as Judge of the Vandalia Municipal Court from 1990 until his retirement from the bench in 2005 following a stroke suffered in December of 2003. Judge Bannister is survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Tonya Bannister, his daughter, Ann (Larry) Carpenter of Jupiter, Florida and his grandson, David Carpenter along with his children from his marriage to Tonya Bannister, whom he considered to be his sons and daughters; son, Gregory (Melissa) Schreck and his granddaughter, Emily; daughter, Tammy (Kurt) Smith and his grandson, Kody and granddaughter, Taylor; son, David Swimer and his grandchildren, Allen, Loghan and Reaghan and his great-grandchildren, Kylee and Zane; daughter, Tara Swimer and his grandchildren, Madison, Maci and Tanner. He is also survived by his brother, David (Joan) Bannister and his nephew, Bob (Sherry) Bannister. Judge Bannister was born in Greenville, OH, and with his parents, Grant and Dorothy Bannister and brother, David Bannister, he moved to Dayton at an early age. Judge Bannister graduated from Fairview High School in 1952 and joined the U.S. Army Reserves prior to entering The Ohio State University in 1955, where he received in 1961, both his Bachelors degree and Juris Doctor Degree in six years. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar and Federal Bar and served in the general practice of law in Dayton as an excellent trial lawyer until becoming a Judge. Judge Bannister was highly respected by his peers for being knowledgeable and practical in applying the law equally to all who appeared before him. He was highly instrumental in securing a state of the art, new Judicial Center for the Vandalia Police Departments and Vandalia Municipal Court where he served with distinction for fifteen years until his retirement. He was known to all for his good humor and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the legal community. A Celebration of Judge Bannisters life will be held through the courtesy of the First Baptist Church, Vandalia, 140 Elva Ct. Vandalia on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 4:30 pm. Services are open to the public and are being coordinated by the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, Vandalia. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made to the Tidewell Hospice House, 5957 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238, the First Baptist Church of Vandalia, or to the charity of your choice in Judge Bannisters name.