Thurman Bankey, age 98, of Miles City passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City surrounded by his family.
Thurman Manley (T.M.) was born to Floyd Mervin and Harriet Irene (Lyford) Bankey, August 9, 1915 at Austin, North Dakota. He attended the first grade school at Plevna, Montana then moved to Miles City in August of 1922, completing elementary school and graduating in 1933 from Custer County High School. Thurman resided in Miles City for 90 years, seeing many changes in surrounding areas of Custer County and worked on numerous farms and ranches during his teenage years, and later jobs included working for the Montana Meat Market, Civilian Conservation Corps (3C’s) at Camp Nine Mile, Swan Lake and St. Regis, Montana. Thurman leased and operated the Conoco Service Station, which was located on the corner of Bridge Street and 5th Street, which later was the display lot for Boutelle’s Car Dealership. Later, he went to work for Armour Creamery, owned by Armour & Company from 1939 to 1942, and then to driving truck, hauling livestock, grain, coal and other items, until going to work for the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad from March of 1943 to August 29, 1975, when he retired as chief clerk.
Thurman and Alma Sieler were married in Miles City, Montana on July 30, 1938. There were no children from this marriage. Thurman and Alma were avid bowlers and enjoyed the competitiveness of the sport, enjoying the time of being and traveling with friends to tournaments, and the laughter and stories they had when they came back to Miles City. Alma passed away in Billings in November of 1986 from complications after surgery. Thurman and Irene (Sloan) Clark were married January 5, 1989 and were married for five years, until the passing of Irene in Miles City in September of 1994. Thurman and Alice Spear were married in a ceremony at Tucson, Arizona on December 20, 2000 with family as witnesses. A reception was held for them, after they arrived in Miles City, in the hall of the Presbyterian Church, where both were members. After marrying Alice, Thurman found that he needed to learn how to play golf, to have more of the precious time with his wife, which he did at the age of 86 years, and joined Alice as a member of the Town and Country Club.
Thurman was a 68 year lifetime member of the Eagles Club 885 and Past State President of the Eagles, 33 year member of the Miles City Elks Lodge 537, 68 year member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the Range Riders, and a member of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, and a longtime member of the Miles City Bowling Association.
Thurman is survived by his wife, Alice (Hicks/Spear) Bankey, of Miles City, stepsons, Richard Clarke of California, Terry Spear of Helena, Randy Spear of Billings, stepdaughters, Kimberley Spear of Minnesota, Kirtlye Spear of Arizona, and Allison Spear-Harmon of California, numerous nieces (one of which he was given the honor to name Colleen Faye), sister-in-law Bernadine Bankey, nephews and step grandsons and step granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his three brothers: Mervin Meredith, Alfred Milton and Victor Marcus; three sisters: Fern Madeline, LaVern Martha and Irene Mildred (his grandmother came from England and started the tradition of having the middle name of a newborn start with the letter ”M”, using the names of authors of England.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, Thurman’s family request that memorials be made to the Presbyterian Church, Miles City Youth Hockey Association, or to R.O.C.K.S.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 18, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 19, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 18, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 19, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Ben, Georgina and Ruthann Phipps says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Alice! We loved Papa Thurman and are going to miss him. God Bless. Love you too Alice!
Love, Ben, Georgina and Ruthann
Kirtlye Spear and Neil Powell says
Thank you Thurman for all the lessons you embodied. Pride, tidiness, staying on time and most of all I thank you for taking such good care of Alice. You were both able to have a long and productive independent life together. You lived your life on your terms and died that way too. We salute you and bid you farewell.
Kathy (Damm) Culy says
A twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face…..Thurman was such a joy to be around. I know how much you two enjoyed life together. May you know I’m thinking of you at this sad time. Hugs to you Alice
Beverly Sieler Svejkovsky says
Was sorry to hear of Uncle Thurman’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Alice and family. He was an amazing person and I have fond memories staying at his and Aunt Alma’s home, even some I don’t remember as my Mom and Dad stayed with them when I was born. He will be missed! With love, Bev and family
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Thurman Bankey – May you find comfort in your loving memories, beautiful pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Bankey. God did not purpose that mankind suffer and die and has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24) Our loving Creator has promised that soon pain and death with be no more (Revelation 21:4). The Paradise that was originally promised for the earth in the Garden of Eden will be restored. Please be comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
WAYNE AND CAROL HIGGINS says
FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS OF OUR MARRIAGE THERE WASN’T A TIME THAT UNCLE THURMAN AND AUNT ALMA WEREN’T THERE FOR US BEFORE WE LEFT MILES. THE LAUGHS WE HAD AND THE MEMORIES WE MADE ARE SO PRECIOUS TO US. OUR CHILDREN LOVED THEM BOTH SO MUCH. WE WERE FAMILY AND WERE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THE 2 OF THEM IN OUR LIVES. AS WELL AS THEIR PRECIOUS COLLEEN. HE WILL BE MISSED. JUST KNOWING HE WAS THERE WAS A COMFORT EVEN WHEN WE WERE APART. AND TO AUNT ALICE AND FAMILY WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING US IN AS YOUR FAMILY ALSO. MAY GOD HOLD YOU ALL SAFELY IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND. THE FACT THAT LOOSING UNCLE THURMAN HAS LEFT A HOLE IN OUR LIVES MEANS HIS LIFE WAS WORTH SO MUCH. ALL OUR LOVE ALWAYS. CAROL WHITE HIGGINS AND WAYNE HIGGINS
Rllir Nicholsol says
My Thoughts and prayers are with Alice andfamily.
Peter G. Sieler says
We will miss you alot Uncle Thurman. Been a wonderful uncle to all us and we will miss you.
Our best to Alice.
Peter G. Sieler
Jodi Ferguson says
Therman was married to my step grandmas sister. Alma and Therman would come to the 77 Ranch near Devils Tower Wyo. to visit. We also bowled many times while visiting my granddad and Esther in Miles City. Therman was a great guy and very patient with us. I will miss getting Christmas cards from him, hearing his many adventures. Rest in peace Therman, keeping your family in my prayers.
WAYNE AND CAROL HIGGINS says
I AM WAYNE HIGGINS,. I HAVE READ THE OBITUARY ON UNCLE THURMAN. MY WIFE WAS KIND. BUT I FEEL THE BEST WAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT UNCLE THURMAN AND AUNT ALMA. THURMAN HAD ANOTHER LIFE. ONE WITH SEILERS AND HIGGINS AND ASKINS AND SHAWS EVERYWHERE WHO LOVED HIM. THIS IS WHAT MADE HIM WHO HE REALLY WAS. THE REST WAS DRESSING. HE WAS A ROCK FOR ALL OF US GROWING UP AS KIDS. AND AUNT ALMA WAS A MOM TO ALL OF US. WE WERE NEVER LEFT OUT OF FAMILY. HIS JOYS WERE HIS BOWLING, HIS GREAT DOG SPIKE, HIS YARD HE CARED FOR TENDERLY AND GOD BLESS ALL THOSE CHICKENS. WE HAVE THE MEMORIES THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY. HE WAS HAPPY AND SO CAREFREE. WHEN AUNT ALMA DIED IT ENDED. HE WENT ON BECAUSE THATS WHO HE WAS . AND THE SHORT REPORT ON COLLEEN WAS SAD. HE LOVED HER AND SHE WAS SO MUCH A PART OF HIS LIFE. HIS DAUGHTER IN HEART. LIVE ON UNCLE THURMAN. GO BOWLING. WE LOVE YOU AND WILL SEE YOU WHEN OUR CHORES ARE THROUGH. WAYNE