John L. Bantley — Lake City - Post Bulletin | Rochester Minnesota news, weather, sports

Published December 16, 2015 at 7:40 PM

John L. Bantley, 77, of Lake City, longtime co-owner of Quality Plumbing & Heating, died peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus in Rochester.

John Lester, the son of Lester and Luella (McCoy) Bantley, was born on April 2, 1938, in Rochester.

John attended Lourdes High School, where he lettered in many sports. He was married to Janese Schwab in 1956 and was blessed with five children; they later divorced. John was a proud member of Local 6 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. From 1976-1994, he and his business partner Chuck Nelson (deceased) operated Quality Plumbing & Heating in Rochester.

John married the love of his life, Beverly (Fritz) Starkson, on Jan. 8, 1996, in Rochester, and enjoyed 20 adventurous years together. They permanently retired to Lake City in 1998. John loved fishing for walleye, boating, remodeling houses, putzing on various projects and his trips to the casino. He was a member of Lake City Lions Club and St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Madelyn Loper; and special aunts and uncles.

John is survived by his wife, Bev of Lake City; his children, James Bantley (Senoleen Haiop) of Palm Desert, Calif., Jeffrey (Debra) Bantley of Rochester, Jack (Anita) Bantley of Clover, S.C., Jodi Bantley (Daniel Abebe) of St. Paul and Amatullah "AJ" Bantley (Saleh al-Jehani) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; his stepchildren, Greg (Jennifer) Starkson and Brian (Julie) Starkson, both of Faribault; his 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Margaret (John) Frie; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 419 West Lyon Ave., Lake City, with interment following in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Arrangements are being completed by Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 201 E. Seventh St., Hastings, 651-437-9419, www.caturia-smidtfh.com.