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NEALE EVAN BANKS

Neale Evan Banks, 52, of Athens, Mich., formerly of Alpena County, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017 in Kalamazoo County from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A celebration of Neale’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Bannan Funeral Home in Alpena. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., also at Bannan Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Neale was born on Oct. 9, 1964 in Livonia, Mich., to Robert “Bob” and Marlene (Peets) Banks. He lived in both Prescott and Millersburg, Mich., before the family moved to Herron and established the family dairy and crop farm when he was 10. Neale worked on the farm and was active in 4-H and FFA during his youth. He graduated from Alpena High School in 1982 and served in the U.S. Army from 1982-84. At the urging of his friend, Sam Timm, he relocated to southwest Michigan in 1990 for better employment opportunities. Neale attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where he earned his EMT certification and took information technology courses. He was employed as a welder at Formula-K in Mattawan, Griswold Manufacturing in Union City and J & L Manufacturing in Marshall, Mich. He worked in inside sales and information technology at Kalamazoo Mill Supply until the company closed in 2003. Most recently, he was employed at B & L Bolt in Portage.

In his free time, Neale enjoyed pursuing the photography hobby he learned through 4-H. He did woodworking when he was younger and was always tinkering with computers. He enjoyed reading, collecting books, studying history and accumulating interesting information and artifacts. He was a regular NPR listener who disliked ignorant people and uninformed opinions. He liked T-shirts with sayings that made you stop and think. He was an avid hunter who especially cherished the two trips he made to Colorado with his parents and brother to hunt elk and mule deer. He camped and fished with his children and took great pride over the years in watching James, Connor and Kate’s sporting, musical and educational activities. Neale liked cooking and was known for his renowned goulash and weekend waffles. Attending the annual Banks Family Reunion was the highlight of his summers. He never said good-bye or goodnight to family members without a hug, a kiss and an “I love you.”

Neale is survived by his mother, Marlene Banks of Herron; his children, James (Jessica Hedgcock) Banks of Northport, Connor Banks and Kate Banks of Burlington; his siblings, Jean (Don) Rowland of Dexter, Ga. and Tim (Katha’leene Wallace) of Millsap, Texas; his lifelong friend, Sam Timm of Howell; and his ex-spouse, Kristy Smith of Burlington. He was looking forward to his first grandchild in November.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Banks (2015) and an uncle, James Peets.

Memorial contributions are suggested to an educational fund for his children, in care of Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, P.O. Box 161, Union City, Mich.

Please visit www.bannanfuneralhome.com to leave a message of sympathy for the family.