The Seymour Fire Department emergency vehicle was called to the Banta home when he became ill and administered oxygen and heart massage to no avail.

A Seymour optometrist since 1934, Dr. Banta graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in 1933.

He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Seymour Aerie No. 655, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Seymour Lodge No. 462, B.P.O. Elks; the Knights of Columbus, was chaplain of Leslie-Arbuckle-Zimmerman Post No. 1925 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars here and was a member of the executive council of Seymour American Legion Post No. 89.

Born October 16, 1900, in Carrollton, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Clarence and Rose McLaughlin Banta.   On October 23, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky, he married the former Dorothy Daringer, who survives.

In addition to the widow, he is survived by four children, Mrs. Mary Jean Adair, of Louisville, Kentucky; Edwin J. Banta II, a senior at Indiana State University, Terre Haute; James M. Banta, a sophomore at Ball State University, Muncie; and Martha Ann Banta, at home.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a. m. Wednesday from St. Ambrose Catholic Church with burial in Riverview Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Burkholder Funeral Home after 7 p. m. today.   Rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 8 p. m. Tuesday.

ŠThe Seymour Daily Tribune, Seymour, Indiana (November 11, 1968)