Edward Charles Bannister, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, went home to rest with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, while at his home in the loving care of his daughter Jami. He was born March 6, 1940 in Warsaw, New York, to Myron and Elizabeth Farrell Bannister. He was a 1958 graduate of Central High School in Columbia, TN. After high school, Ed worked with his father until joining the Army in 1962. He was stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia, and while there he met and married Emily McGehee in 1963. He completed his service in 65, and in June of 1966 his first daughter Tracy was born. After the service, he started driving truck for Dunn Brothers pipeline, who had the slogan “Across the Nation it Must Be Dunn”, taking him to different parts of the country. In 1969, he and Emily were divorced. His work eventually took him to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he met Rozella “Lolly” Beachy, who worked at the Starlight Cafe that he frequented daily. He asked where a guy could get a good meal on a Sunday, and she told him that if he went to church, he could have dinner with them, so that is what happened. On October 9th, 1971 they were married in Mt. Pleasant. Ed worked in many different fields, so might be considered a “Jack of all trades”, especially with his work on all kinds of automobiles as well as construction. For a majority of Ed’s career, he was a welder working for Mitchell Engineering, Caterpillar, CECO Building Systems, to name a few. He lived in New London from the end of 1978 until 1995, and while there he also worked for the City’s Utility department. In 1995, after moving to Rockford, IL, he got a job with Monroe Truck, building salt boxes and plows for their custom trucks. This is where he retired from. While in New London he raised his family and was an active member of the New London Christian Church (NLCC). In 2007 he moved back to Iowa in rural Mt. Pleasant, just south of Trenton, to be closer to family. He enjoyed history, reading, chewing leaf tobacco and drinking Pepsi products, as well as handing out Tootsie Rolls and mints to ‘kids’ of all ages at church earning him the affectionate nickname “Candyman”. Ed is survived by his daughters Tracy (Stephen) Hoffman of Tybee Island, Georgia; Jami Boles of Mt. Pleasant; and son Robert (Amy) Bannister of Ames; nine grandchildren, Tristan Miller, Connor and Brian Hoffman, Morgan (Fern) Baldwin; Mitch (Kristen), Levi & Alisha Boles; Quentin & Jayden Bannister; one great grandchild, Carson Boles; three brothers Michael Bannister of Smyrna, TN; Myron Jr. (Melissa) Bannister and Jimmy (Donna) Bannister of La Vergne, TN; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sisters Myra Joanie and Rena. There will be a graveside service for Ed at Sugar Creek Cemetery, rural Wayland, held at a later date in the Fall; followed by food and fellowship at the home outside of Trenton. If you are interested in participating in this event, the family asks that you contact Jami or Robert to get more information. If you so desire to donate, please donate to EveryStep hospice service (everystep.org) in Ed’s name to continue to aid the amazing and loving work they provide. Elliott Chapel, New London, assisted the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
