Harold passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025 surrounded by his loving family at the Accura Care Center in Stanton.  Graveside Services will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Rose Hill Cemetery.    Memorials may be directed to the family.

Harold Edward Bancroft was born on May 31, 1934 in Guthrie Center, Iowa to Archie and Bernice (McCool) Bancroft.  Harold entered into eternal peace on October 27, 2025 at the Accura Health Center in Stanton, Iowa at the blessed age of 91 years.

Harold or "Whitey" as he was known to most spent his early years in the community of Guthrie Center.  It is here that he completed his schooling.  On March 21, 1959 he was united in marriage to Martha Oldham at the First Baptist Church in Shenandoah.  The couple resided in Shenandoah before later moving to Essex in September of 1964.  During his working years he was employed by several of the nurseries in Shenandoah.  He later retired from Henry Fields.  Whitey decided that retirement wasn't for him, so he took on a janitorial position with Earl May until his late 80's.  He always seemed to keep himself busy!

Whitey enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working outside.  He could find a way to fix just about anything!  He spent many hours cracking walnuts and listening to the radio via his headphones.  While he resided at Accura he enjoyed outings down the trace to the railroad tracks with his family and playing BINGO!  He loved to win those prizes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; aunt Hazel Bancroft; uncle Frank Bancroft; sister Betty Searl; brother-in-law Benjamin "Benny" Searl; nephew Benjamin "Benjie" Searl; and son Edward Lee Bancroft.  Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife of 66 years Martha L. (Oldham) Bancroft of Essex; daughters Sherry Bales and husband Pete of Essex, Sandy Bancroft of Essex and Shelia McCoy and husband Ben of Bellevue; grandchildren Kyle Bancroft and wife Katie, Kayla Bales, Tyler McCoy and wife Mariah and Zac McCoy and wife Cayley; great-grandchildren Maddy Bancroft, Jace Bancroft, Kyson Bancroft and Baker McCoy; other relatives and friends.