Virla Lee Bann, 74 of New Baden, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. She was born September 21, 1935 in Swansea, daughter of Walter G. and Mildred V. (Erwin) Garbs. She married Paul F. Bann on April 4, 1956 at St. George Church in New Baden and he preceded her in death on November 6, 2005.

She is survived by a son, Steven W. (Michelle) Bann of New Baden; two grandchildren, Allie Bann and Paige Bann; a sister, Marlene (Ralph) Goldsmith of New Baden; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Mildred Bann, Ralph & Lucille Bann & Carl Bann all of New Baden, Robert & Betty Bann of Marietta, Ohio, James & Gerry Bann of Earlville, Gloria Hebenstreit of Fairview Heights, Marilyn Sachs of Glen Allen, VA, Susanne & Gerald Chappel of Milford, MI; nieces & nephews, Kim (Kurt) Laux, Patti (Tom) Pollman, Mary Kay (Ray) Pruessor, Bill Hebenstreit, Sandy Seipp, and Dale Bann; great nieces and great nephews, Chad Satterfield, Kyle Laux, Mary Beth (Richard) Gorazd, Joey Hebenstreit, Melissa Pruessor, Christopher Pruessor, Casey (Sarah) Douglass, and Shea Seipp; and numerous other nieces & nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents she was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, James W. "Bill" Bann, Jr., and Joseph Hebenstreit; and sisters-in-law, Corrine Bann, Donna Bann and Ruth Ellen Bann; nephews, Bob Bann, Rick Bann, and Jim Davis; a niece, Debbie Hebenstreit; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, James W., Sr. and Dolores A. (Kassebaum) Bann.

Before her retirement Virla was a supervisor in shipping/receiving at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville for 33 ½ years retiring in 1997. She was a member of the American Legion Post 321 Auxiliary for 53 years, was past president and was currently Sergeant- at- Arms. She was also a member of AARP. She was a graduate of New Baden High School Class of 1953 and was an organizer of the New Baden Community High School Alumni Association in 1972 and was an active bowler since 1953.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Rev. Gretchen Sterrett officiating. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery in New Baden.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2010 and from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. The American Legion Auxiliary will visit the funeral at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Clinton County Relay For Life and will be received at the funeral home.