Charles Samuel Bankert

Charles Samuel Bankert, 81, of Hanover, PA, entered Heaven celebrating with those who have gone on before him, Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the York Hospital, after a brief illness, with his loving family by his side.  

Born May 2, 1939, in Hanover, PA, he was the son of the late Samuel N. and Mary S. (Jones) Bankert.  Charles was the loving husband of Verna M. (Nace) Bankert with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.  

Charles was self-employed and owned Charles S. Bankert General Contracting for twenty-five years, retiring in 2004, but continuing part-time in his retirement from 2004 until the present.  Charles and his father Sam worked together as carpenter/builders until his Father’s retirement, having built the Kirkridge Presbyterian Church in Manchester, MD, and the Friendly Farm Restaurant in Maryland. 

Charles was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Dubs UCC, Hanover, PA, serving as a past Deacon and former trustee on the church council.  He was a life-member of the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Company, a life-member of the York County Fireman’s Association, a member of the York County Builder’s Association for 25 years, and a lifetime member of the Jefferson Rifle Club.  He was also the South Western High School co-coordinator of constructing the Athletic Field Press Box. 

He enjoyed taking daily walks in his woods and just being outdoors, which he taught the love of that to his sons and grandsons. He enjoyed going to the mountains at his son’s camps to hunt with his sons and grandsons.  He enjoyed fishing at Codorus with his granddaughters.  Charles had a passion for John Deere tractors and loved riding on garden tractors with his grandchildren over the years and was also seen in the neighborhood at home and in the mountains riding his bicycle.  He loved his eggs every morning, and even raised his own chickens for some time.  He loved going to Starlight Diner on Saturday evenings for his Seafood Bisque soup.  Charles would never turn down a good hot dog at The Hot Dog Shop.  Charles and Verna enjoyed traveling and went on a 6-week road trip across the United States in 2006 and enjoyed travelling to Hawaii and cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean with their daughter and family.  He enjoyed going to auctions at the Conway/Runkle building at their church and devoted much time at church helping with projects.

In addition to his loving wife, Verna, Charles is survived by his children, Byron C. Bankert, and wife Dawn, of Hanover, PA, Darryl Bankert and wife Sheri of Spring Grove, PA, Brian S. Bankert and wife Kim of Hanover, PA, and Angela M. (Bankert) Fittery and husband Darvin of Elizabethtown, PA; he was very proud of his 7 grandchildren Zach Bankert, Derek A. Bankert, Andrew Bankert, Katie R. (Bankert) Meckley, Trever A. Bankert, Cameron T. Bankert, and Isabella V. M. Fittery; and three great grandchildren Chelsey, Coltin, and Dawson Bankert; and 3 sisters, Dolores E. Garrett, Darlene M. Bankert, and Sharon L. Crites and husband Jeffrey all of Hanover, PA.  He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Bernard Garrett. 

A public viewing will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Hanover First Church of God, 600 Fairview Drive, Hanover, PA, masks will be required, and social distancing observed.  Due to COVID restrictions, funeral services to celebrate and remember Charles will be private, but will be live-streamed beginning at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at www.kenworthyfh.com.  Burial will be in St. Paul’s Dubs Church Cemetery.  The family would like to hold a memorial service at St. Paul’s Dubs UCC Church at a later date.

Serving as casketbearers will be Zach Bankert, Derek Bankert, Andrew Bankert, Trever Bankert, Cameron Bankert, and Darvin Fittery.   Honorary casketbearers will be Katie Meckley and Isabella Fittery.

The family would like to add a special thank-you to all the nurses and physicians at WellSpan York Hospital, especially the ICU for the care they gave our husband and father.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul’s U.C.C. Cemetery Fund, 1958 Dubs Church Road, Hanover, PA 17331.

The Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA has been entrusted by the family with the funeral arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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