Russell Gingrich "Russ" Bannister, age 91, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the Halcyon House in Washington following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with Rev. Bob Wollenberg officiating. Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 3rd at the Day Lounge at Halcyon House. Visitation will begin noon Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Jones Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m Monday evening. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the United Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be sent for Russ's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Russ was born February 22, 1920 in La Porte City, Iowa the son of Kenneth E. and Lucille M. (Gingrich) Bannister. The family moved to Chicago in 1925 and Russ went through sixth grade in Chicago. He then moved to La Porte City, Iowa to live with his grandparents through high school. Russ attended the University of Iowa for two years then transferred to Northwestern University. Following graduation he worked at Marshall Fields for several years. He served three years in the United States Army Air Corps, first as a Cadet and then as a weather observer. He went to Italy in May of 1944 and returned to the United States in November of 1945.

Russ worked at the family store in Chicago after returning from the war. He met and married Wilma Oxley on June 9, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. After working for two years at the store, he decided to return to the University of Iowa where he received his Masters in History. In the fall of 1950, Russ started teaching Social Studies at Washington High School. He retired from teaching in 1982 but continued substitute teaching until 1994. He coached golf several times during his career from 1951 – 1967 and from 1978 until 1980.

Russ was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Washington where he was an Elder for six years. He was also an Elder of the Presbyterian Church USA for six years before the merger. Russ was a longtime member of Noon Kiwanis, the YMCA, Washington Golf and Country Club and enjoyed participating in several Bridge Clubs. He was a lifelong sports fan and was of course an avid Chicago Cubs fan, attending many games during his life.

He was active in the teaching profession having held the following positions; director of adult education, Chairman of Social Studies, President of Washington Education Association, delegate to the Iowa State Education Association conventions, and was president of the Geography teachers of Iowa. Russ was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1968 and was always interested in the political issues of the day.

He is survived by daughter Bonnie Bannister of Washington, Iowa and son Russell R. Bannister of Peculiar, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 2008, and one brother Bob.