Emma "Alice" Wilbanks, 91, of Indianola, Iowa, formerly of Mountain View, Missouri, died Monday, May 15, 2017 at her home, surrounded by family. She was born April 26, 1926 in Summersville, Missouri, a daughter of Jesse and Vesta (Ball) Roark. She was united in marriage to Chester "Alvin" Wilbanks on October 21, 1944.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin; brother, Calvin Roark; sisters, Phyllis Roark, Opal Grady, Beulah House, Alva Bird, Ethel Taber, and Florence House; and youngest son, Larry Wilbanks. Alice was a stay at home mother and worked alongside Alvin farming, which they both loved. She also enjoyed reading, putting together puzzles, and playing bingo. The couple spent the majority of their farming life in Iowa and retired back to their hometown area of Mountain View, Missouri in 1977. After Alvin passed away, Alice moved back to Iowa to be closer to family. Her daughter, Carol, and granddaughters, Kim, Kathy, and Kristi, were her caregivers and were by her side at her passing. Surviving Alice are her children, Chester (Diane) Wilbanks of Rogers, Arkansas, Carol (Pete) Putney of New Virginia, Iowa, Joyce (John) Arbaugh of Fulton, Texas; eleven grandchildren, Michael, Becky, Kim, Kathy, Kristi, Michelle, Ryan, Suzie, Jennifer, Julie, Seth; 29 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren; two sisters in law, Lilly Burks and Sonja Willbanks; and brother in law, Robert (Sharon) Wilbanks; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Alice’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 20, 2017 at Yarber Mortuary in Mountain View, Missouri with burial to follow in City Cemetery, Mountain View. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to: Hospice Care Services, 213 E Main St #103, Knoxville, IA 50138. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.e buried in Mtn View.