Harris “Herk” Banger, 83, of Port Charlotte Florida passed away on December 5, 2020 after a brief battle with Covid 19.
He was born September 21, 1937 in Holland, Michigan were he met and married his wife, Marilyn.  They began their journey in 1956 and it was an incredible journey.  As his success grew, he moved frequently, also living in Traverse City, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Lafayette, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Bradenton, Florida; Sylva, North Carolina; and Port Charlotte, Florida.  He was an entrepreneur to the end of his business life, selling insurance for many years and achieving the status of Number 1 Sales Associate in the USA with AFLAC, which was the pinnacle of his insurance career.  He did amazing woodworking and sign carving, selling his products at craft shows and flea markets.  His favorite venture was when he owned Peppermint Patti’s Ice Cream Shop in Dillsboro, NC and his slogan was “Life is Short – Eat Desserts First!”  His final venture was owning and operating a 6 acre mobile home park in Sylva, NC, where he was able to use so many of his life skills.  When the park was sold, he retired to Port Charlotte to be near family and friends.
Herk was a very fun loving person and had a passion for cars.  His nickname and email address were HOTROD HERK, and in his later year, he could be seen at car shows and around town in various roadsters with his HERKSTER license plate, which found its final resting place on his red scooter chair.  He loved Rod Runs, Car Shows, NASCAR, NFL (especially his Buc’s), drag racing, boating, woodworking and his lifetime of wiener dogs (Dashchunds): Fritzie, Benji, BJ, Candy, April and Lola.
Herk was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Sena (Vandenberg) Banger and two sisters, Thelma (Paul) Kragt and Lucille (Bob) Strabbing.  He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn and five children: Vicky (Sandy – dec’d.) of Port Charlotte, Roxanne Akerberg of Seminole, Florida, Rhonda (Ernie) Gehrich of Atlanta Georgia, Randy (Kelly Clem-Rickon) Banger of St. Petersburg, Florida and Kim (Erik) Crosby of North Port, Florida.  He is also survived by his “doggies”, April and Lola; grandkids Steve Akerberg, Crystal Gehrich, Randy Banger, Jr., Amy Vinson,  Melissa McThenia and 11 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Funeral Services closed to the general public, will begin with visitation from 1 p.m. until start of services at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Roberson Funeral Home’s Port Charlotte Chapel located at 2151 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, Florida, with burial also closed to the general public, to follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens cemetery in Port Charlotte.  The funeral service will be officiated remotely by his niece’s husband, Reverend William Vanden Bosch.  In compliance with suggested guidelines to help prevent the further spread of Covid 19 and protect our most vulnerable and at-risk individuals, we ask anyone that may be in attendance to please be respectful of others and observe social distancing and wear a personal protective mask.
For our friends and family in faraway places who are unable to travel or attend, the service will be live-streamed at www.moonbeamvideocasting.com/mblivestream .
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the Homeless Coalition of Charlotte County on his behalf.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Homes & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.