Eric Von Banta

Eric Von Banta of Ozark, Missouri was taken home to be with Jesus on September 21, 2024. He left us peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that reflects a lifetime of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his family. Eric was born on August 23, 1963 to Elaine and Charles Banta in Madison, Wisconsin.

Eric graduated from Clark County High School in Kahoka, Missouri in 1981. He lettered in track and baseball as a left handed pitcher during high school. He continued playing baseball in junior college which led him to try out for the Cincinnati Reds. His family owned an Ace Hardware store where Eric worked. Eric also enjoyed running, golfing, and was a pet lover. 

Eric met Belinda Phillips in 1983 during a carefully orchestrated meeting by his stepmom who was also Belinda’s choir teacher at Central High School. Their memorable first date included a Volkswagen Bug ride through a Kentucky Fried Chicken drive thru ending with a picnic in the park in the middle of November. As they were eating, they noticed a lack of napkins in the bucket. Fortunately, Eric let Belinda use his sock for a napkin. After dating for a short period, Eric joined the military and they parted ways. However, Eric always knew Belinda was the one, so 10 years later he called her out of the blue and the rest is history. They were married on June 10, 1995 at Boulevard Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. 

Eric and Belinda were blessed with a child, Elizabeth Renee Banta, in January of 2000 which completed their family. He was very excited to retire next year and become a grandfather. Eric loved the Lord and was committed to serving his family and others. He attended Bible Studies, men’s conferences, led a church life group, and served as a door greeter. Eric and his family had recently been attending Fellowship Bible Church in Rogersville, Missouri. 

Eric began his military career in 1985 with basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He served in the 42nd Military Police Group and the Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy and worked for U. S. Customs in Mannheim, Germany from 1986 to 1988. During this time, he was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. Eric was honorably discharged from the military in 1989 and served as a noncommissioned officer at the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

Eric graduated in 1992 from Drury College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He was part of the Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges, and graduated with honors. 

Eric began his career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on May 31, 1994, at FCI Pekin, Illinois, as part of the activation team for the new institution. He was hired as a Correctional Officer and over the years he increased his responsibilities by becoming a Legal Instruments Examiner on September 4, 1994, and then Case Manager on February 27, 2000. In May 2002, he transferred to the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, as a Case Manager. Eric ended his career with the BOP as a Supervisory Correctional Systems Specialist. He was promoted to this position on January 3, 2010, and supervised several staff in the Records office, Receiving and Discharge, and Mailroom. As a collateral duty, Eric served on the Hostage Negotiation Team. Eric retired from the Bureau of Prisons on September 30, 2014, with 20 years of service. He was always “firm but fair” when managing his caseload which continued even after he retired from the BOP and went to work at the Alpha House of Springfield as a Case Manager where he continued to work with Federal offenders. Following retirement from the BOP, Eric worked for Edward Jones Investments and the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a short time.

Eric was always willing to help anyone whenever needed and was well respected by his fellow co-workers. He was someone you could go to for an honest answer, was levelheaded, a hard worker, but could also make you laugh with his unique sense of humor and quick wit. Eric had a great work ethic and integrity in any job he held.

Eric is preceded in death by his parents, Elaine and Charles Banta; brother, Alan Banta; and his maternal and paternal grandparents. 

Eric is survived by his loving wife, Belinda Banta of Ozark, Missouri; daughter, Elizabeth (Banta) Pickering, her husband William Pickering, and baby Pickering due March of 2025 of Ozark, Missouri; Mother-in-law, Linda Floyd of Springfield, Missouri; and Sister-in-law, Laura Banta of Flower Mound, Texas.

A funeral service for Eric Banta will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024 Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Doug Shiver officiating. 

A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024 immediately before the funeral at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. 

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.