DANVILLE - Mark David Banbury, of 14655 Millersburg Road, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away on January 30, 2013.
He was born in Mount Vernon on June 9, 1950. Mark made a living as a livestock broker, traveling each week to buy and sell livestock at sales in New Holland, PA, Mount Hope, Kidron, Mount Vernon, and Barnesville, OH, and many others.
In his travels, he made countless friends that he genuinely enjoyed talking to and learning about their lives. He never met a stranger and loved to brighten someone's day in any way he could.
An avid livestock enthusiast, he spent countless hours supporting 4-H and FFA youth nationwide with their projects. He was most proud, however, of his children and all their accomplishments in the showring with their lambs and goats. Some of his favorite stories are ones that took place at the Ohio State Fair when he was growing up, and later when he watched his kids make history and break his own records at the fair.
An outstanding athlete at Danville High School, he went on to play college football for Otterbein, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He loved sports and his greatest joy in life was traveling to watch the twins play basketball from the bottom bleacher, rarely missing a game.
He was extremely proud of his grandsons and loved talking with them and hearing about their sports and school activities. He loved children in general, always trying to get a smile from the baby sitting close by.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barb of Danville; son, Shannon Banbury of San Angelo, TX; daughters, Angela Robertson of Platte City, MO; Jamie Banbury of Indiana, PA; twin daughters, Madison and Taylor Banbury of Danville; granddaughter, Ashley McCann of Mount Vernon and grandsons, Dylan and Dalton Robertson of Platte City, MO; future son-in-law, Greg Beatty of Indiana, PA; an uncle, Dave (Lou) Mavis of Fredericktown;a niece, Heidi (Jared) Melocco of Boulder, CO.,and many friends in Danville and across the nation that he considered extended family.
He will join his loving parents, Howard and Helen Banbury in heaven as well as an aunt, Dorothy Loney, and his grandparents, Grace and David Mavis.
Services will be held at the Danville United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 1, with internment to follow at Workman Cemetery. Pastor Ben McKinstry will officiate. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up the Mark Banbury Memorial Fund, c/o First Knox National Bank, P.O. Box 29, Danville, Ohio 43014, which will go to support the twins as they start college next year. The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling arrangements. www.fischerfuneralhome.com
