Blanche Shonts Banes, 1883-1917

Daily Iowegian - 16 June 1917

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Mrs. C. A. Banes Dies Following Tornado

  The following extract from the Charleston, (Ill.) Daily Courier tells of the death of a former Jerome lady following the disastrous tornado in that vicinity. Mrs. Banes was well known thruout this vicinity and it is with deep regret that her friends learn of her sudden death. The Charleston account gives the full details of the occurrence and reads:

  "Mrs. Blanche Banes, wife of C. A. Banes, a Clover Leaf fireman, residing in 116 First street, was found dead shortly before 2 o'clock Thursday morning by her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Banes retiring about 10 o'clock. The woman's body was cold, indicating that death had seized her seveal hours before her husband awakened.

  Mrs. Banes, who formerly resided at 120 First street, one house south of the home where she died Thursday morning, was a victim of the tornado. The house was unroofed and otherwise demolished, allowing the cold rain to drench her. This, together with the anxiety felt for the safety of her children and husband, and her narrow escape from injury, brot on a nervous shock, which was heightened when the home where the family moved, was placed under scarlet fever regulations, and about ten days ago she was taken ill. She was under the care of a physician but no apprehension was felt. About 10 o'clock Wednesday evening she fell into a sleep and in a few minutes retired. Shortly after 2 o'clock her husband was awakened and it was then that he found his wife dead.

  Blanche Shonts Banes, born in Jerome, Iowa, May 17, 1883, died June 14, 1917, aged 34 years and 27 days, was married to C. A. Banes, May, 1901, and came to Charleston six years ago to make this city her home. Four children were born to this union: Ralph, Roland, Ray and Robert, ranging from 14 to two years of age, and her husband survive her. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Shonts of Jerome, Iowa, and brothers, Orville E. Shonts of Charleston; Jacob Shonts, of San Francisco, Cal.; Ray Shonts of Chicago, and Loren Shonts of Mystic, Iowa, and one sister, Miss Ida Shonts of Jerome, Iowa.

  The deceased was a member of the Methodist church, and was a member of the Pythian Sisters of Jerome, Ia.

  In the time spent in Charleston Mrs. Banes made friends. These knew her as a home loving woman and her family and their interests were always her first thots, and her death was a great shock to the friends as well as to the family.

  The remains will be taken to Jerome, Iowa, the old home, for burial."