Date of Death: February 20, 2024
Service Details
Visitation will be held Monday, February 26, 2024 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Newberg, 13021 Born St., Jones. A memorial service will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the church with Pastor Mike Owen officiating.
Obituary Notice
David Allen Bannow, 64, of Jones, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 2, 1959 in Dowagiac, the son of Norman and Carolyn (Mott) Bannow, and graduated from Dowagiac High School with the Class of 1978. He played drums in the school band, and after graduation, raced motocross.
On April 19, 1980, Dave married Merrilyn Stephenson. The couple lived at Fisher Lake for six months before moving to Jones. They enjoyed camping and traveling, especially trips to Florida and North Carolina.
Initially employed by the city of Dowagiac as a maintenance worker, he later worked at Dock Foundry before starting Lake Effect Marine at Sister Lakes with his brother Tom. He enjoyed the people, the water, and the freedom of being his own boss. In 2003, he started The Boat Shop in Jones. He did snowplowing for 20 years, and spent 12 winters working at Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area.
Dave loved spending time with his family, especially his sons, with bow hunting a favorite hobby. He was a character, prankster, jokester, and – as he named one of his boats – an “Instigator.” He was a member of First Baptist Church of Newberg.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Merrilyn Bannow; sons, Joshua Bannow and Kyle (Summer) Bannow; grandchildren, Romy and Sage Bannow; brother, Thomas (Lori) Bannow; sister, Patricia Mellen; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave’s memory may be directed to First Baptist Church of Newberg. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Dear Marilyn, Josh, and Kyle, We are so sorry to hear of you loss. What great memories we have of you in our younger years as neighbors in Jones. Dave had such a great sense of humor. He will surely be missed. Thoughts and prayers for comfort for your family.
Merrilyn,
I’m so sorry for the loss of Dave, as I called him “my pontoon guy”. He will be greatly missed. From “the Crazy Lady” as that is what he called me.
Merrilyn, I just heard this news. I am so very sorry. I wish you and your family didn’t have to go through this, way to soon. Please know my thoughts are with you at this terrible time. Dave will be remembered with fondness. Laura
I’m so sorry for your loss for you & your family. I’m hoping to be there for sure one way or another.
We are so sorry for your loss of your husband and praying for you and your family, love and miss seeing you!! Fran and Barb Schneider
Josh,
We were so sorry to hear of your Dads, passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers..
Merrilyn
So very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was always a kind soul whenever we chatted. Our family will hold you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Haven’t seen Dave in a number of years. Remember him from the marina. He and Tom made a grea team. He would come into Driftwood and shoot the breeze. He was a great man and a hard worker. He will be missed.
Merrilyn & family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you with the loss of Dave. He was a very special guy and will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I worked with Dave and Tom at the original Lake Effect. He was a great guy.
Merrilyn, I am so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I will be praying for you and your family. Stay strong. God speed Dave.
Merrilyn Linda and I our so sad and sorry to learn of Dave’s passing. I wish I had words to make this time easier for you. I will always remember Dave as the Character he was . Always enjoyed his company, his stories , jokes, & teasing. He was always generous to me .
Very sorry for your loss 🙏 ❤️ 🙏.
Merrilyn & family, i am so sorry to hear about David’s passing. So sorry he wont be in our world with us to keep us smiling.
We’re so sorry to hear about your loss. Dave was one of our regulars at the farm store, and he always made our days a brighter when he came in. We’re going to miss him.
I’m very sorry about your loss. You and you’re family are in my prayers.
We are so sorry to of Dave’s passing our hearts are broken for so many of his loved ones . Many prayers for you to find comfort during this difficult time.
Merrilyn,Josh and Kyle….I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dave. It has been a very long time since I have seen him but still remember his Dad jokes and his sense of humor….thoughts and prayers to you all.
I’m so sorry, Dave was a great man, I loved him. Like a brother, we grew up together, he will be missed immensely, love to his family, and all the many friends he had . Love ya my brother
Merrily and sons,
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a great man, friend and I’ll will always remember the good times we had. Love and Hugs
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family. Was known thru out the neighborhood. Was always a pleasure to run into him. Always had a smile.
Merrilyn, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of David. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Joshua, Kyle, and family. God Bless you and all.
Merrilyn,
My most sincerest sympathy to you and your family. May many memories fill your heart today and forever.
So very sorry to hear . Praying for peace for you Marilyn and your boys
I wish there were words to ease your grief but I know better. So I will continue to pray for peace and strength and courage to face the days ahead. If there is anything I can do please don’t hesitate to call. I know you have a big church family who love you and Dave and will be there for you.
Merrily and sons, so very sorry for the loss of David. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Merrilyn,
I am so sorry to hear of your husbands’ passing.
Know that you are in our thought and prayers.Keep the faith
In our Lord.
Mike and Brenda Fleckenstein
Merrilyn, I am so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. May you and your family be blessed with remembrances of the good times you shared. Prayers for you all.
Merrilyn,
I am so very sorry to learn this. Know that I will keep you in my prayers.
Isaiah 25:8 God’s promise is “He shall swallow up death and will wipe away tears from all faces “
Merrilyn,
We are so very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. The campground will never be the same. Dave always had something to funny to say, he would tease my grandkids to no end. They always looked forward to seeing him. We will all miss him.
Merrilyn and sons,
I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.