Sonya C. Banfield

Sonya C. Banfield, 79 of Eaton, Ohio, died Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Kettering Health-Preble Campus. She was born on September 1, 1945 in Middletown, Ohio, daughter of the late Russell Lee Mentz and Betty Lou (Back) Mentz Cornell.

Sonya was a 1963 graduate of Pasadena High School in Houston, Texas, a 1967 graduate of Georgetown College in Kentucky where she received her bachelor’s degree. She was a member of Alpha Beta Pi Sorority at Georgetown College. Sonya was retired from Preble Shawnee Schools in Camden, Ohio where she taught 8th grade English for 33 years. She was a representative for Park Lane Jewelry, House of Lloyd and Christmas Around the World. Sonya was a devoted member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Camden, Ohio and a resident of Preble County since 1970.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter in 1972 and her stepfather, Carl B. Cornell in 1976.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Larry D. Banfield; children, Christopher W. (Rachael) Banfield and Brandi R. (Ritchie) Paynter; half-sister, Dawn Denise (Michael) Anderson; grandchildren; Monique Christensen, Rachel Banfield, Samuel and Sarah Wallace.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at First Southern Baptist Church, 35 North Liberty Street, Camden, Ohio with Rev. Dr. Greg Jackson officiating. Interment will be held in Butler County Memorial Park, Trenton, Ohio. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at the church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Preble Shawnee English Department, Camden, Ohio. Arrangements Entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, Ohio.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.barnesfuneralhome.com