Connie Jean Banks, 81, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Connie was born November 18, 1944 in Monmouth, Illinois, the daughter of Herschel Greydon and Margaret Irene (Toops) Swails. Connie spent many years working in Monmouth area restaurants, most notably Park and Eat. She spent the last 13 years of her working life at Farm King in Galesburg. She married James Robert Banks, Sr. on November 21, 2009 in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on March 17, 2015.
Connie is survived by one daughter, Teresa (Lonnie) Blevins of Galesburg; one son, Brad (Peggy) Fell of Rio, Illinois; and three grandchildren, Johnny (Shay) Jones, Dawn Jones, and Bobbie (Marty) Dix. Connie is also survived by nine step grandchildren, Staci Lefler, Blake Lefler, Ariel Montgomery, Jeremy (Kara) Storz, Jennifer (Jon) Gannon, Valerie Joyner, Josh (Rhianna) Blevins, Nicole (Tim) Hoyt, and Alyssa (Paul) Donsbach; and twenty-seven great grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband, Connie was preceded in death by a daughter, Jenny Rebecca Fell; one brother, Larry; two sisters, Linda Reihm and Janice Raines; one grandson, Ryan Fell; and two great grandsons, Logan Dix and Elijah Dix.
Connie loved being outdoors fishing as well as using her creative mind making many different crafts. She loved going on motorcycle rides as well as her over the road trucking trips she took with her grandson, Johnny. Connie was a longtime member of East Galesburg Community Chapel. She loved Halloween and her character “Effie Mae.” But most of all, Connie loved to be with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2026 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Danny England will officiate. Burial will follow at Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be directed to East Galesburg Community Chapel or Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
