Mary Evelyn (Lephart) Bankson of Greenville, Ohio, passed away surrounded by her loving family on May 12, 2022. Mary was born on March 26, 1928 to Frederick N. Lephart and Mary O. Lephart in Brown Township, Darke County, Ohio. She grew up on a family farm and went to the Woodington and Ansonia High School.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Boyce H. “Chic” Bankson, and her siblings: Virginia Puterbaugh, Meredith Gough, Harriet Lewis, Maurice Lephart, Lenore Hunt, Aileen Scantland.
She is survived by her three daughters: Holly (Ted) Finnarn, Lori (Matthew) DeBacker, MaryBeth (Eric) Erisman; her grandchildren: Shawn (Dave) Wilson, Ted (Marce) Finnarn, Thom (Lisa) Finnarn, Alex Finnarn, Alison Finnarn, Riley (Michael) DeBacker, Rowby DeBacker, Dustin (Teresa) Erisman, MaryKate (Tony) Bonfiglio; great-grandchildren: Zoe Wilson, David Wilson, Jasmine Finnarn, Logan Finnarn, Arabel Finnarn, Laila Erisman, Jaxton Bonfiglio, and Jocelyn Bonfiglio.
Mary was a 1946 graduate of Ansonia High School where she was a cheerleader, soloist, Prince of Peace orator, salutatorian of her graduating class, and often had a leading role in the high school plays.
Having an excellent work ethic, many in the community will remember Mary serving them at the E & J, Haworth’s, Snell’s, Schumeth’s, Devault’s, or Longfellow’s restaurants where she waitressed for 47 years. She did all the cooking for the catering business, Chic’s Chuckwagon, that she and her husband ran for 19 years. Later, she answered the phone for a real estate office and worked for the Garst Museum in the Genealogy Department.
A devoted wife and mother, she was also a very involved member of her community. Mary was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Chaplain of the Gideons Auxiliary, Darke County League of Women Voters, and the local movement to keep fracking out of Darke County (No CO2).
Mary enjoyed reading, baking, decorating, and watching Jeopardy, westerns, and “whodunits”. She spent many hours with her grandchildren telling them about life in the “good old days”. She was especially known for her old-fashioned cream pies; many said they were the best in the county.
Friends and family are invited for the visitation on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 1:00 pm with a funeral service immediately following at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home concluding with graveside service at the Old Teegarden Cemetary located on St. Rt. 49 North of Greenville just past Woodington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons, the local DAR, or the League of Women Voters. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com.