Mrs. D. Anita Vallejo Bandistel was born on February 16, 1915 at home on Spalding Avenue in Chicago, IL and passed away on January 1, 2017 at her niece's home in FL.
She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 60 years, Richard Charles Bandistel; their beloved daughter, Jeanie Frances Fasbender; her parents, Della Darlene Thayer Vallejo Stombaugh of South Bend and Louis Guermillo Vallejo, Sr., of Mexico City, Mexico; step-father, Charles Stombaugh of South Bend; her three sisters, Dolores Eileen Vallejo Raven of La Porte, Shirley Gloria Vallejo Zeitz of St. Louis, and Phyllis May Stombaugh Marshall of South Bend; and her brother, Louis Guermillo Vallejo, Jr.
Anita and her family moved to Mexico City in 1919 and lived in the north western suburb of Azcapotzalco until 1926. This European-style neighborhood was an enclave of luxurious homes, chic stores and restaurants between the late 1880’s to the 1930’s. Her family returned to the United States and Anita grew up in Mill Creek and Willis Township. She was a member of the Mill Creek Baptist Church. She made life-long friends and memories in that community, but she always fondly remembered her girlhood in Mexico.
In 1934, Anita graduated from Mill Creek High School. She always enjoyed attending the class reunions and she held the title as the Eldest Graduate for the last several years. Anita worked two summers in 1931 and 1932, at Swift’s Lodge at Fish Lake. She, and the other young female employees, lived at the lodge and worked seven days a week for $5.00 a week.
Anita was a fifty-year member of the First United Methodist Church of La Porte where she taught Sunday school in the Junior Department for nine years. She was the President of the Local Council of the Girl Scouts of America, belonged to the Fish Lake Property Owners Association, and was a member of the Lincoln Township LOVE Club and the Bunco Club.
Anita and her husband, Richard, owned and operated the Pine Cove Restaurant in La Porte for 19 years. They retired in 1974 and bought a home with a lake front lot on Fish Lake. Retirement gave them the opportunity to enjoy gardening, boating, fishing and their family. They were very happy at Fish Lake and Anita was able to remain in their home until a few weeks prior to her passing.
Anita is survived by her grandson, Jayson Joseph (Helena) Fasbender; great-granddaughter, Patience Taylor Fasbender; great-grandson, Samuel Fasbender; nieces, Shelia Gail Fasbender, Sylvia Darlene Francis, Linda Lee Douglass, Terry Lynn Sowala, Rebecca Lynn Mathis and Deborah Ann Marshall; nephews, Mark Wayne Marshall and Bart Stewart Marshall; 10 great-grandnieces; 7 great-grandnephews; 8 great-great-grandnieces; and 7 great-great-grandnephews. Her dear pet cat, Silver, was a wonderful companion for the last few years.
Mrs. Bandistel’s family would like to extend their thanks to all those who have expressed their sympathy and support during this sad time; it has been greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte. Pastor Ronald Devenport of the First Baptist Church in Mill Creek will be officiating. Internment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Willis Township, La Porte County.
A time of visitation will be held from 10 am -12:00 pm on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804.
Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.