Edna Bangs

Jane Bangs, 95, a long-time resident of Churubusco and widow of widely acquainted Churubusco businessman Rex D. Bangs, died at 9:35 a. m. on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Provena Sacred Heart Home in Avilla following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Bangs was born on June 20, 1912 in Bluffton, a daughter of A. N. and Jessie Jane (Martz) Plessinger, and spent her formative years there. She graduated from Bluffton High School, and was employed as a private secretary for the John A. Morris Company in Bluffton. While in Bluffton she was a Girl Scout leader, organist of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church, and vice-president of the Tri-Kappa Sorority. On April 3, 1938 she was married to Rex D. Bangs. The couple moved to Churubusco where they owned and operated the Bangs 5-cent to $1 Store for 32 years. In addition to her business concerns, her life was marked by memberships in several organizations and participation in various community activities. A member of Churubusco United Methodist Church, she was also past worthy matron of Churubusco Order of the Eastern Star 136.e Mrs. Bangs was one of the organizers of Churubusco Elementary School's first kindergarten. She was an organist and attendant at the former Orr Funeral Home in Churubusco, and was vice-chairperson of the Whitley County Republican Party in which she was an active member for 13 years. She was past president of the Columbia City chapter of the Tri-Kappa Sorority, was a Whitley County Red Cross blood program chairperson for 33 years, and was also a Gray Lady for many years. For 19 years Mrs. Bangs was chairperson of the Churubusco Public Library Board of Trustees, and in 1971 received the Distinguished Service Award from the United States Jaycees. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1975 she was presented the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash by former Governor Otis R. Bowen, and was named Grand Marshal of the 1994 Turtle Days parade. Mr. Bangs preceded her in death on June 15, 1970. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a son Timothy Rex Bangs on September 26, 1965; by a brother James B. Plessinger; and by two sister Helen Carriger and Betty Johnston. The surviving relatives include a son Thomas (Mary) Bangs of Churubusco; three grandchildren Trisha (Randy) Hockemeyer of Decatur, Sarah (Chris) Tomlinson of Churubusco, and Laura Blackmon of Fort Wayne; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday, February 28, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Kerry L. Niman of Eel River Baptist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p. m. Interment will be in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Churubusco Public Library or the American Heart Association. ********************************** To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Bang's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .