Katherine Bandura

Katherine (Kay, Katie) Buryl Johnson Bandura, 98, formerly of Enon and Kettering, Ohio passed on Monday, August 14, 2023 in Niceville, Florida. Born in Red Bush, Kentucky on July 22, 1925, the fifth of ten children to Charles and Clara Johnson, she spent her early years in Hillsboro, Ohio where she graduated from high school in 1943. Kay married John Bandura, the love of her life, on January 21, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio. She had many talents, employed as a Human Resources specialist, operating a greenhouse with her husband and parents and working as a librarian and tutor at the local school. She was an avid, award-winning, gardener, quilter, hiker and volunteer – donating over 1,000 hours of her time to the city of Kettering, Ohio. Kay adored people and loved gathering with family and friends. She was extremely energetic, tenacious and very active in the lives of her family – coming to help with any situation when called. Until her dying day, she was quick witted with an enduring sense of humor – giving sound advice and always having the last word. Her greatest gift was in 1963 when she and John adopted her late sisters’ children – loving and raising them as their own. Kay adored her grandson and was very involved in his life – helping with school projects, attending sporting events and school functions, and cheering him on in all of his pursuits. Kay is survived by her children, Deborah Arthur (Robert) of Princeton, North Carolina, Carol Mullins-Hernandez (Hector), of Niceville, Florida, grandson, Joseph Mullins (Erika) and great-grandson, Asher John Mullins of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by her sister, Frances Johnson Hinshaw of Delaware, Ohio and sisters-in-law, Nancy Brabant Johnson, of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, and Carol Faber Johnson, of Newton, Massachusetts, along with a host of nieces and nephews who adored her. In addition to her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her husband, brothers and sisters, Kenneth (Helen) Johnson, Oswald (Betty) Johnson, Genevieve (Glen) Johnson Ludwick, William (Roberta) Johnson, Charles (Betty) Johnson, James Johnson, Roger Johnson, Carolyn Johnson Graham and brother-in-law, Lester Hinshaw and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the management, nurses, aids and staff at Superior Residence of Niceville for their dedication and care of Kay. They treated her like a family member, hugged her and called her ‘momma’. We would also like to thank the nurses and staff of Emerald Coast Hospice for their excellent care. A visitation will be held at Adkins Funeral Home, Enon, Ohio on September 23, 2023 at 10:00, followed by services at 11:00. Burial will follow at the Enon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cox Arboretum, Dayton, Ohio OR the Alzheimer’s Association.

Katherine Bandura

July 22, 1925 - August 14, 2023