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The Funeral Home That Handled Ernie Banks' Funeral Hasn't Been Paid

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 6, 2015 9:45PM

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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.

[Tribune, Sun-Times]