Alfred L. "Al" Banister, 92

Alfred L. "Al" Banister, 92 of Portsmouth died Thursday January 26, 2017 at SOMC Hospice. Arrangements are pending at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth. Alfred was born January 12, 1925, at Elm Grove, West Virginia, to Mary McConaugh and Joseph Banister. He passed away January 26, 2017. Alfred was a graduate of Martins Ferry, Ohio, High School, and Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He served from 1943-1946 in the U.S. Navy and received two Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts. Alfred was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Anna; and his wife, Annabelle Ratliff, whom he married in 1950.

Alfred is survived by his brother, Joseph Banister, of Jamestown, ND; his sister Marguerite, of Mascoutah, IL; his sister, Violet, of Rayland, OH; and several nieces and nephews. Alfred worked for ten years for the Ohio Department of Transportation out of the Division 9 Office; following, he was secretary of the Masonic Bodies of Portsmouth and manager of the Masonic Temple Building for twenty-four years. He was a Circuit Rider in the Blue Bird Parish of the United Methodist Church for over twenty-five years.

Funeral services will be 11:30 AM Tuesday February 7, 2017 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend Gary Hopkins officiating. Interment will be in Scioto Burial Park with graveside military rites by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday starting at 9:30. If friends desire, donations may be made to Old Town Methodist Church, 2325 Galena Pike, W. Portsmouth, OH 45662, or The Hillview Employees Fund, 1610 28th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662, Att: Lisa Castle. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.