Rose Marie (Wrestler) Bantz

Rose was born July 1, 1945, in Rushville, IL, to Dorothy (Krider) Wrestler and Frank Wrestler. She married her husband of 49 years, Wesley Rollin Bantz, on November 3, 1964, in Charleston, SC, at the U.S. Navy Chapel. He survives.

Also surviving is their child, Lisa Marie (Greg)Woiwode of Manito, IL; her mother, Dorothy Wrestler of Peoria; the loves of her life, grandchildren Abigail Marie and Hanna Nicole Starnes of Manito, and Brandon Cole Starnes of Dunlap, IL; three great-grandchildren; her princess, Ayla Marie Hawkins, Kaiden Michael and Karter Cole Hill all of Manito; also her brothers Steven (Janet) Wrestler of Colorado Springs, CO, and Dennis Wrestler of Telluride, CO; her sister, Lin Wesler of Peoria; mother-in-law, Martha Bantz of Peoria; brother-in-law Everett (Jane) Bantz of Balwin, MO; and a sister-in-law Janet (Dennis) Glavin of Peoria. Rose had five nieces and nephews. A special nephew close to her heart was Ian Ferraris of Peoria. She was preceded in death by her father; and the greatest sadness in her and Wesley's lives was the death of their son, Steven George Bantz, in 2012.

Rose was raised in Elmwood and was a proud member of the Class of 1963. Rose graduated from Bradley University in 1983, Magna Cum Laude. Rose always said she had the best job in the world teaching fourth graders at Wilder-Waite School from 1990 to 2005. She had a super staff and friends, awesome students and supportive parents. Her greatest joy was all the times she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to entertain family at holidays and for years neighborhood children enjoyed her Halloween walks and Easter egg hunts. She enjoyed researching, family history, Wilder-Waite history and the history of Peoria County one-room schools. She belonged to the Peoria Garden Club and her beautiful garden was enjoyed by hundreds during the 2012 Garden Walk.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. The Rev. David Bantz will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Friday. With Halloween walks a very important part of her life, the family wishes not to have services or visitation on that day. Burial will be in the Mt. Hawley Cemetery in Peoria. Memorial contributions may be made to the Midwest Food Bank or the Power of Play Campaign at the Glen Oak Zoo. You may create an online condolence at www.woolsey.wilton.com.