Austin 'Ozzie'

Austin “Ozzie”, “Runt” Bannister, 79, of Lebanon, Pa. passed away on January 6, 2012. He was the husband of Betty K. Bannister to whom he was married for 57 years. Born in Trenton, NJ on August 2, 1932, he was the son of the late Samuel Bannister and Viola “Brearley” Bannister and grew up in Slackwood, NJ, Lawrence Twp., NJ. “Ozzie” enjoyed all sports and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of Beaver Dan Hunting and Fishing Club and enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren Sandra, Austin, Megan, and Sarah. “Ozzie” retired from Sterling Drug Corp. in 1991 after 41 years of service where he worked as a shipper and warehouse manager for the Myerstown, Pa., Plant. A Navy Veteran of the Korean War, he served on the U.S.S. LST 1032 (U.S.S. Monmouth County) and also was an instructor at the Gunfire Support School in Little Creek, VA. He received two letters of accommodation, the service medal, the good conduct medal, and the Korean service medal. Austin was also a member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Lebanon where he served as the past Clerk of Session, Elder, and Sunday school teacher, and started a prostate cancer support group in 1998. He was a former member of Yardville Presbyterian Church, NJ. Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughter Julia Ann Fields wife of PA State Trooper Glenn Fields, a son David Bannister, retired Hamilton Twp. Police Officer and current Police Officer in Ohio, a brother Samuel Bannister, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Harold Bannister, John Brearley, and a sister Carolyn Van Ness. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM from Christ Presbyterian Church, 1300 Maple Street, Lebanon, PA 17046. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap national Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 7-9 PM at the Kreamer Funeral Home, 618 E. Main Street, Annville and also on Wednesday from 10-11 AM at the Church. Contributions may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church in his memory. PDF Printable Version

Austin 'Ozzie'

August 2, 1932 - January 6, 2012