Theresa H. Banister
December 12, 1926 ~ February 24, 2025
Theresa Hazel “Cleo” Fiddler Banister, 98, passed away on February 24, 2025. She was born December 12, 1926 in Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada. After high school, Cleo moved away from the Fish Creek area to live in Saskatoon, Canada for a brief time, where she worked as a nurse's aide and a variety of other jobs. She always had a yearning to travel and see the world. Cleo and her best friend, Linda Moreau, traveled extensively throughout Canada via train.
Cleo met the love of her life, William “Bill” Banister of Columbus, Indiana, when she was a waitress and hostess at a popular restaurant, New York Café, in Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario, in 1949. After a quick courtship, they married in Glencoe, Ontario on June 30, 1950. Cleo then became a U.S. citizen.
Cleo was a talented seamstress and antique furniture restorer. She enjoyed her many years in Purdue University Extension Clubs; she was a member of the Talley-Home Club and the A2Z Club, in which she served as President several times. She proved to be very good at crafting, joining the Arts and Crafts Club and participating in the Bartholomew County Fair, where she won several ribbons over the years. Cleo also participated in the local Craft Bazaar in Columbus and the Weekend Flea Market in Bargersville. In her spare time, she enjoyed buying at garage sales and auctions. Cleo was a member of Fairlawn Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her children, Roger (Jan) Banister and Denise (John) Kocur. She also leaves grandchildren Paul (Christine) Banister, Adrienne Cantali, Laura (Joshua) Long, and Alison (Ian) Buck; great-grandchildren Cora Banister, Nolan Banister, Theodore Long, and Gwendolen Long.
She was preceded in death by her husband, after 70 years of marriage; her father and mother Henry Fiddler and Alexandra Kozar Fiddler; brothers Leonard Fiddler, Albert Fiddler, Oscar J. Fiddler, Gordon Fiddler, and Jerry Fiddler.
Visitation will be on March 1, 2025, Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus, Indiana. Burial will be immediately after the service at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to Fairlawn Presbyterian Preschool, Columbus, Indiana, or Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators in Hope, Indiana.
You are invited to leave a condolence message, light a virtual candle, and view her video tribute online at www.iewellrittman.com.
The funeral service will be live-streamed at www.iewellrittmanfamily.com.
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My heart goes out to all the Banister family. You are such loving people and have shared wonderful photos of your mother through the years. She must have been so very proud of all of you. Please accept my deepest sympathy as you celebrate a life well and richly lived.
May the many happy memories you have of your Mother/Grandmother bring you joy and peace in the years to come. Cleo had such an interesting life story, I really enjoyed hearing about it. We also shared a love of antiques. She was a special person.
Our sympathy for your loss. I didn’t know your mother, but I met your father a few times and he was a dooszey. I’m sure your mother was his match and together they raised wonderful children. Bob and Nancy Pulley
1 file added to the album Memorial Video
The Columbus Area Visitors Center purchased the Florist Choice Bouquet for the family of Theresa H. Banister.
Lovely heartwarming video!
What a lovely tribute to a life well lived.
Lavender Reflections Spray was purchased for the family of Theresa H. Banister.
A Memorial Tree was planted in honor of Theresa H. Banister.
Prayers go out to the family. I remember Bill and Cleo living nextdoor to us in Eastridge Manor. I was quite young then but I remember when they moved to their new home in Fairlawn.
Arrive in Style was purchased for the family of Theresa H. Banister.
Cleo was such a lovely person. She and Bill were part of the Columbus Antique Club and that is how my husband and I met them. They graciously opened their home each year for a club meeting. Condolences to the family.
From Bob and Rhonda Bolner
My heart goes out to all the Banister family members. Our Moms are the rocks we lean on. When they leave us, nothing else can fill that space. But they never really leave. They are always around, whispering in our ear, nudging us towards good decisions, or just watching over us as they always have been. Though distance separates us, my prayers are with all of you today and the days to follow. With much Sympathy, Deb Holmes
Such a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman! Love you always Aunty!