Pat (Rosemary) Banawitz

Pat (Rosemary) Banawitz, 93, of Shelbyville, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at MHP Medical Center surrounded by family. A devoted homemaker who loved to care for and entertain family and friends, Pat was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Muncie, the daughter of James and Thelma (Stamm) Hillery. On June 29, 1951, she married John M. Banawitz of Shelbyville, who preceded her in death on March 18, 2011. Pat and John were fond of hosting gatherings at their Shelbyville home and traveling – seeing much of the United States and the world during their many years of marriage. After John’s retirement from the Shelbyville News, they spent 26 winters living in Merida, Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula. She is survived by her daughter, Hillery, and husband, Nick Miller, of Newport, KY; brother, Rex Hillery and wife, Barbara, of Bloomington; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Heilman; and brothers, Dr. Robert “Bob” Hillery, Arthur “Bud” Hillery, Larry Hillery, Jerry Hillery, John Hillery and Jim Hillery. Pat was a 1943 graduate of Selma High School near Muncie. While working at the Muncie Banking Co. she attended Ball State University, where she studied nursing. Afterwards she moved to Indianapolis where she worked in the Statehouse (department of purchasing) for State of Indiana. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, the PEO Sisterhood, and is a former member of Tri Kappa and the History Club. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2017, at Freeman Family Funeral Home, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the funeral home, with Pastor Mark Morningstar officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.