Johannah S. Bankus, age seventy-seven, passed away in her home in Phillipsburg, Missouri on Tuesday morning, July 28, 2026, following a battle with metastatic endometrial cancer. Jo was born August 19, 1948, in Peoria, Illinois, to Walter and Katherine Brooks, the second of six children.
Jo learned her sewing and cooking skills from her mother. She was very talented and did many paintings, cross stitch and quilts that will be treasured for generations to come.
In November 1963, she met the cute, ornery new boy in school, Bobby J. Bankus. He would become her husband on May 16, 1967, and she would travel the world with him, supporting him in his military career. They raised two children together, Cherie, born in 1969, and Robert, born in 1973. Bob and Jo settled in Lebanon, Missouri following Bob’s retirement in 1988.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Katherine; her brothers, Walter and Paul; a sister, Peggy; and her grandson, Matthew.
Jo leaves behind her loving husband of fifty-nine years, Bob; her daughter, Cherie Fritzinger and her husband, Bob, of Lincoln, Nebraska; her son, Robert Bankus of Ozark, Missouri; her grandchildren, Jordyn, Olivia, Xander, Owen, Rosie and Finn; one great-grandson, Raiden; her brothers, Daniel and David; and many nieces and nephews.
Per Jo’s request, there will be no formal funeral services.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
Aug. 4, 2026 Update: Updated heading, subheading, body text and photos.
