STUART, Florida - James W. Banner, 83, formerly of Schenevus, passed away Aug. 10 at Saratoga Hospital.

He was born Feb. 16, 1941 in Maryland, the son of James H. and Velma (Gill) Banner.

Jim graduated from Andrew S. Draper Central School, Schenevus, Class of 1959.

He married Bonnie Bramsen on July 27, 1963 at the Atonement Lutheran Church, Oneonta.

Jim was a United States Air Force veteran serving from 1963 to 1967 in the Security Service in Germany and San Antonio, Texas.

He worked for NYSEG for 29 years as a Real Estate Representative retiring in 1999. He and his wife, Bonnie owned Sparrowhawk Antiques in Schenevus.

Jim was a member of the CH Graham Hose Co., Schenevus. He was a Fire Commissioner for 12 years. He was active in organizing the Schenevus Carnival where he was the announcer for the parade and at the grandstand for many years. He was one of the organizers of the Bicentennial parade for Otsego County. He was also a member of the AMVETS, Schenevus, Schenevus Valley Masonic Lodge # 592 and the Worcester Hunting Club. He was an assessor for the Town of Maryland and a member of the Assessment Board of Review. He was an active Scout Master with the American Boy Scouts.

Jim's love of local history, inspired him to volunteer as a historian for the Town of Maryland, the Maryland Cemetery and the Farmers Museum. He was a trustee for the Maryland Cemetery and was a funeral associate for Heller Funeral Home, Skinner Funeral Home and Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home.

While living in Stuart, Florida he was a member of New Beginnings Church. He was active in the St. Lucie Falls Community by starting a library, participating on committees, and lately being the MC for a military Honor Flight fundraiser.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra and Scott Ackermann of Saratoga, New York and Darci Banner of Stuart, Florida; his grandchildren, James J. "Jamie" Schmidt, Jenkin J. Banner-Schmidt, Shay Banner and Ryleigh Banner; sister Twyla and Paul Webb of Wellesley Island and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife Bonnie on May 15, 2023.

Saturday Aug. 24, Visitation will be held noon to 2 p.m. At 2 p.m. there will be a Fireman's walk-through, followed by a Masonic Service and then the Funeral Service with the Reverend Keith VanDewerker officiating, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Schenevus Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the CH Graham Hose Co., PO Box 116, Schenevus, NY 12155 or to the Town of Maryland Historical Society, PO Box 161, Schenevus, NY 12155.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to www.lhpfuneralhome.com.