John “JB” Eldon Banes
John “JB” Eldon Banes
Fairfax
John Eldon “JB” Banes, 93, of Fairfax, flew his final flight on Thursday, August 15, 2024, with his wife, Francine, by his side holding his hand. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church by Rev. Aaron Junge. Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery, Fairfax. A Rosary Service will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, August 20, at Teahen Funeral Home. Those not attending the Rosary may visit with the family from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. or after 9 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.
He was born May 2, 1931, to Vernon and Lulu Banes at White Pigeon, Iowa. He graduated from North English High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. On Feb. 5, 1953, he married Francine D. Linnenkamp at Fort Sill, Okla.
His lifelong love of aviation and his entrepreneurial spirit created an adventurous journey for him and his family. Using his GI Bill, he earned his pilot’s license at Hunter Field in Cedar Rapids. He owned and operated his first concrete plant in North English, eventually moving it to Fairfax. For the next several years he worked at Rapids Chevrolet then built a sand plant in Guttenberg which he later sold to Croell Redi-Mix. In 1976, he and his son J.R. started Banes Concrete and Asphalt which later grew to include the entire family as Banes Construction.
Aviation was his passion and between the basement, garage and multiple shops, he rebuilt 26 aircraft. With four kids crammed in the back seat, he and Francine flew to many destinations, including the sand plant in Guttenberg, Sunday morning fly-in breakfasts, and anywhere with a landing strip. He was a member of EAA and Antiquers Airfield. He also was a member of St. Patrick’s/St John’s XXIII Catholic Church and the Fairfax American legion.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Francine of Fairfax; sons J.R. (Becki) Banes of Toddville, Curtis (Calleen) Banes of Cedar Rapids, and Tom Banes of Fairfax; daughter Lauralee (John) Heusing of Amana; seven grandchildren, Corey (Vicky) Banes of Cedar Rapids, Cody (Dan) Lucky of Fairfax, Jordan (Tim) Brown of Cedar Rapids, Riley (Kyle) Forbes of Marion, Cameron (Sami) Eubanks of Alburnett, Spencer Eubanks of Ladora and Jake (Cora) Heusing of Anamosa, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Banes and sister-in-law Louise Banes.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a charity of their choice.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.