Banta, Donald J., Sr., age 72, husband of the late Dorothy (2/2010) died Monday, April 26, 2010. A life long resident of West Milford, he was born in Paterson, the son of Joseph and Miriam (Odell). An Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was an Ironworker with Local 483, Hackensack. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, West Milford Square Club, Alexander Hamilton Masonic Lodge were he was Past Master, Mason at Warwick Masonic Lodge, Genesis Masonic Lodge where he was a Master Mason, Qualye Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star Silentia Chapter where he was Past Grand Patron, Royal Arch Mason of NJ with Adelphic Chapter, Royal Select Master of Grand Council to Zabud Council of NJ, past Commander of Melita Commandery #13, caretaker for Louis Wallisch and his estate (1987-2008) and founder of Banta’s Iron Work Inc. Surviving are his children Donald, Jr. of Hamburg, Mark of Bloomingburg, NY, Matthew of Hewitt, Lisa Banta-Alex of Newton and Nicole Schoelier of Fredon, brothers Ronald of Myrtle Beach, SC, Michael of Greenwood Lake, NY and David of West Milford and 11 grandchildren also survive. Beside his wife a brother Gordon and a sister Marcia Flynn predeceased him. Funeral Liturgy 11AM Friday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hewitt. Interment St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Warwick, NY. Visiting Thursday 2-4 & 7-9PM at the Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford. In lieu of flowers donations to the American Diabetes Association, Attention: Memorial Donations, PO Box 114, Alexandria, VA 22312.

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