John M. Banawitz

John "Banny" Banawitz was longest-serving ad manager in Shelbyville News history John M. Banawitz, 94, an original staff member of the The Shelbyville News when it was established in 1947, passed away Friday (March 18) at his home in Shelbyville surrounded by his family. He had been in failing health for several years and recently under the care of Hospice of South Central Indiana. Known by his co-workers and friends as "Banny," Banawitz still holds the record as the longest-serving advertising manager in the history of the News. The former News managing editor, the late Jim McKinney, noted in a column on Banawitz's retirement in 1992, "he was the only advertising department manager The Shelbyville News has ever had." A graduate of Shelbyville High School, Banawitz started his newspaper career in 1937 as an ad salesman and sports columnist at the old Shelbyville Republican, where he wrote, "Looking ?Em over with Ol' Banny." A year later, he was hired away to work for the rival Shelbyville Democrat. Banawitz was highly regarded as an effective ad salesman, raconteur and prankster. Even McKinney's retirement column for Banawitz listed as one of his noteworthy deeds at the Democrat as managing to not get fired after setting off a firecracker in the newspaper general manager's wastebasket. When former Shelbyville News publisher, the late John C. DePrez, put together a merger of the Republican and Democrat to form The Shelbyville News in 1947, Banawitz was named advertising manager. He also was an Addison Township justice of the peace from 1949 through 1960, served three terms as exalted ruler of the Shelbyville Elks Club, was a member of the Newspaper Advertising Executive Association and the Tuesday Lunch Bunch. He loved to travel and for 25 years spent his winters in Merida, Mexico, with his wife, Pat. Banawitz was born Oct. 29, 1916, in Rock Island, Ill. He moved to Shelbyville at the age of 15 after the death of his father, Joseph Banawitz, with his mother, the late Clarine (Morrison) Banawitz, and brother, the late Philip Banawitz, former Shelbyville mayor. Banawitz?s mother was from Shelbyville and the daughter of the late Circuit Court Judge Harry C. and Laura Morrison, for whom Laura Morrison Park is named. Banawitz is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Pat (Hillery) Banawitz of Shelbyville, a daughter, Hillery Banawitz (husband, Nick Miller, former city editor and managing editor of the Shelbyville News) of Newport, Ky., and a brother-in-law he helped raise from the age of 10, Rex (wife, Barbara) Hillery of Bloomington. He is also survived by Rex's sons James (wife, Valda) Hillery of Bloomington, and Andrew (wife, Arine) Hillery of Columbus. Graveside services will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, with Rev. Mark Morningstar officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 S. 17th St., Columbus, Indiana. Online condolences may be shared at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com. -30-