Leo Joseph "Joe" Banks, 73, of Bancroft, passed away to the other side, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 in Pocatello, Idaho, after a short illness.

Joe was born November 9, 1940 to Leo Joseph Banks and Veneta Vella Jenkins Banks in Salt Lake City, UT. They went to the family farm in Ivins near Bancroft, where he was welcomed by and older sister and brother, Donna and Floyd. When Joe was two years old his mother passed away from congestive heart failure, and Joe was raised mostly by his father.

Joe was very active in 4H and FFA, he raised sheep and showed them at the County Fair. He was an Eagle Scout and went on a two year mission to the North Carolina area. He attended Ricks College, now known as BYU Idaho for 2 years in Agricultural Science.

Fall of 1964 he met the love of his life, Joyce Seipert, at Ricks College. They were married January 26, 1965 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for Eternity. They moved back to the farm that spring and started their family. They had three children, Bruce Joseph, Kristin Jane and Bradley James.

Joe was a member of the Caribou County Search and Rescue for many years, and for several years he served as Commander. He also worked part-time as a Deputy Sheriff. He served for 10 years as a volunteer with the Caribou County Ambulance, as an EMT, and for a year as President of Caribou County EMS. He was a member and on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Cattlemen's Assoc. Joe was an active Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served there as an Elder's Quorum President, as Superintendent of the Sunday School and a Sunday School Teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter, Kristy (Wade) Hopkins of Bancroft, grandsons, Jacob (Kylee) Hopkins of Grace, ID, Kaleb Hopkins, Bancroft, ID, daughter-in-law, Debi Banks, granddaughters, Natausha and Brynlee Banks and grandsons, Sterling and Stetson Banks, of Twin Falls, ID, sister-in-law Erma Banks, of Chesterfield, ID, sisters and brothers-in-law, Venita (Eldon) Maughan of Provo, UT, Rex (Sandra) Seipert of Orem, UT, Carol Seipert of Idaho Falls, ID, Gloria (Dale) Sebring of Twin Falls, ID, Larry (Loretta) Seipert of Lolo, MT, Connie Bingham, of Moreland, ID, Michael (Jackie) Seipert of American Fork, UT and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, two sons, Bradley and Bruce, sister, Donna Holbrook, brother Floyd Banks, nephew, Lafe J Holbrook, brothers-in-law, Lloyd Seipert and Lafe Holbrook.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Noon at the Bancroft LDS Chapel. Family will visit with friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Sims Funeral Home and on Saturday morning from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Church prior to services. Burial will be in the Grace Cemetery.

A Tribute Video for Leo may be viewed here: