James Banaka 1967-2020

James Bradley “Brad” Banaka, 52, Topeka, formerly of Netawaka, died Saturday, April 4, 2020, at his home with family by his side after complications from heart disease.

He was born July 3, 1967, in Topeka, the son of James “Jim” and Janet Kay Sharp Banaka. He graduated from Jackson Heights High School in 1987. He had lived in Topeka since 2015 and most of his life in Netawaka, Whiting and Holton.

Mr. Banaka worked for 10 years at Goodyear Tire Company, worked on the Keystone Pipeline in Nebraska and had been a chef at Highland Community College. He had been disabled since 2010 due to heart disease.

He married Jennifer Dawn Rehl on June 2, 2012, in Circleville. She survives.

Other survivors include his father, Jim Banaka, Netawaka; two sons, Jeremy L. Banaka, St. Joseph, Mo., and Timothy J. Banaka, Grandview, Mo.; a stepson, Christopher Henningsen, Arlington, Texas; two stepdaughters, Elizabeth Henningsen, Fort Worth, Texas, and Emily Henningsen and husband Bradley, Topeka; three sisters, Janelle Bell and husband Brad, Trenton, Texas, Jerri L. Denton, Wardville, Mo., and Julie A. Shook and husband Zane, Carbondale; and a granddaughter, Luna Nicole Dixie Banaka.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Kay Banaka; and two nephews, Wyatt Shook and Logan Denton.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Netawaka Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Mercer Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

Condolences may be sent to Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.