Leonard J. Bannach

Leonard John Bannach, age 86, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 6 2021 with family members at his side.

He was born to Bernard and Verona (Meronk) Bannach on August 13, 1935. He grew up on the family farm in Buena Vista,  graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1954, and then enlisted in the Marine Corps. He entered the service on June 15, 1954, and was honorably discharged on June 14, 1957. He was stationed on Okinawa, Japan. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

He had a side job as a  model, wearing suits from a local tailor to show to fellow Marines.  After discharge, he came back to Plover and married his high school sweetheart, Rita Marie Hamerski on June 28, 1958 at St. Bronislava Church, Plover. He, with his brothers built the house in Plover in which they would raise their kids. Rita passed away, unexpectedly on Feb 12, 1998.  He then met his special friend Angeline Derezinski. She passed away on Sept. 29, 2021.

He is survived by his children, Debra Bannach-Morey (Dale Morey), Junction City,  Mark Bannach (Kathleen) Howard, PA, Keith Bannach, Browns Mills, NJ, and Roxann Bannach, Kaukauna, WI. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Alexandria Morey, Dylan Morey, Sara (Ross) Bragg, Hannah Bannach, Emma Bannach, Clara Bannach, Michael Bannach, and Alyssa Bannach. He is also survived by his sole remaining sister Florence Brown, Scottdale, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Bernard M., John, and Emil Bannach, Veronica Niewiadomski, Eleanor Lueck, Helen Trzebiatowski, and Frances Bannach. Also preceded by a daughter, Mary and a grandson, Max Bannach.

Leonard had a variety of jobs in his lifetime, from field manager at a potato farm at Frontier Packers, John Deere tractor mechanic, and truck driver, to his last job as a self-employed vending services operator of LJB Services.

He, Rita and the family enjoyed traveling the United States and Canada, collecting rocks, fishing, sightseeing National Parks, and visiting relatives. He enjoyed deer hunting with nephews, boating on the river, playing cards, amateur astronomy, inventing and building, and music, but mostly spending time with his family.  In his later years, he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, bird watching, and church social gatherings where he could sample every pie available. He was a believer in recycling before recycling was cool and spent time, throughout his life, making sure things didn't go into the landfills and the importance of protecting the environment.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at a later date per family wishes.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Whispering Pines, Memory Care and Compassus Hospice  for their loving care and guidance, shown to us during Dad's time while under their care.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Leonard will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday November 11, 2021, at St. Bronislava Catholic Church 3200 Plover Road Plover. Rev. Eric Mashak will officiate. Burial will full military honors will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation on Wednesday from 4:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at the Pisarski Community Funeral Home 2911 Plover Road and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Parish rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. For livestream viewing of the funeral mass visit:

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For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com