Carolyn Joyce Bannow

Carolyn Joyce Bannow, 77 of Dowagiac passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis. Family and friends will gather for a graveside service and burial on Wednesday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac with Pastor Melody Wallace of the First Christian Church officiating.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cass County Council on Aging in Dowagiac or the Cass County Cancer Society.  Clark Chapel & Cremation Services at 405 Center Street in Dowagiac is serving the family. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Carolyn online may do so at www.clarkch.com.  Carolyn was born June 22, 1937 in Dowagiac (Glenwood) to Deward and Vivian (Brownell) Mott.  She graduated from Dowagiac Central High School in 1955 and married Norman Bannow on April 7, 1956 in Dowagiac, MI, spending 53 wonderful years of marriage before Norm’s death in 2009.  Carloyn worked at Jessup Door Company in Dowagiac for over 25 years and then she and her husband owned and operated Bannow’s Variety Antique Store on M-51 North in Dowagiac for 10 years. She then retired and they both enjoyed traveling the country, enjoying the sights and stopping to browse a flea market or two. Carolyn loved to crochet and make crafts. She was a member of the Cass County COA’s  Crotchet Club as well as a member of the “Secret Pals Club” of Dowagiac. She was a 26 year cancer survivor and was one of the first of three people in an experimental group to be treated for cancer with her body’s own bone marrow. Those who knew Carolyn will agree that she was kind hearted, loved organization and had a great sense of humor.  Carolyn is survived by her mother, Vivian (Brownell) Mott of Dowagiac, her three children, Patricia Mellen of Edwardsburg, David (Merrilyn) Bannow of Jones and Thomas (Lori) Bannow of Dowagiac along with her 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband in 2009 and by her father and a brother, Charles Mott.