The Funeral Home That Handled Ernie Banks' Funeral Hasn't Been Paid
By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 6, 2015 9:45PM
Here's the latest wrinkle in the battle over Ernie Banks' estate. Donnellan Family Funeral Services contends it hasn't been paid to handle "Mr. Cub's" funeral and memorial service. So they filed a claim in probate court Wednesday seeking $35,000, including nearly $4,000 in legal fees incurred over a dispute on how to handle the Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer's remains.
The filing comes as Judge James G.Riley gave Banks' caretaker Regina Rice 30 days to provide a detailed accounting of Banks' estate. At a contentious hearing last week, Rice claimed Banks' estate was worth $16,000 at the time of his January death. Rice filed a will signed by Banks last October leaving everything in his estate to her. Rice filed the will a week after Banks' widow Liz filed a petition to be the executor, believing Banks didn't have a will.
Donnellan, in their claim, seeks $11,000 for the cost of the casket, $6,755 for flowers, more than $3,000 in car services and $2,700 in staff fees. Banks was buried in Graceland Cemetary, just north of Wrigley Field. Rice contends Banks wanted to be cremated and Banks once remarked that wish to a Tribune reporter, as well as to have his ashes spread at Wrigley Field. Rice said she helped arrange the funeral and memorial service.