With heavy hearts we announce that Morris Wayne Bantel, age 73 of Maryville, IL, was born July 2, 1951, in Murphysboro, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at his residence with his wife by his side.

Wayne was a 1969 Carbondale High School graduate. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 24 years and retired from the Veterans Administration where he worked in processing and management for 24 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan and Kansas City Chiefs Football fan. He loved working outside in his yard. He enjoyed going to the Cardinal Baseball games with his youngest daughter, Selena, and traveling to Florida for the warmer weather and to visit his oldest daughter, Krystal and her family.

He was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents, Morris Dean and Earline (nee Hill) Bantel.

He is survived by his loving wife, Victoria "Vicki" L. (nee Hale) Bantel, whom he married December 7, 1991; two daughters: Krystal Brooke (Jason) Crichlow of Palm Harbor, FL and Selena Lynne (Zach) Sweet of St. Charles, MO; three grandchildren: Logan and Noah Crichlow, and Audrey Sweet; and a stepson, David Curtis of Alton, IL.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville.

Funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Alan Beuster officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to Hope Lutheran Church and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.