Alice Banghart
Godfrey |
Alice A. Narup Banghart, of Godfrey, IL, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born on Mar. 22, 1931, in Mozier, IL. She was the daughter of Henry and Clara
(Mossman) Narup. Alice married Jerome Banghart on August 10, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, officiated by Msgr. James Suddess. Jerry preceded her in death on December 23, 2010.
Alice grew up on the family farm in Calhoun County, the youngest of 7 children. She moved to Alton with her parents at the age of 16. She attended Marquette Catholic High School, graduating with the class of 1948 (one year ahead of schedule.) Even though she only attended Marquette for one year, she made many life-long friends.
Alice went to beauty school shortly after graduation, and after spending a year living with her sister, Bea’s, family in Phoenix, AZ, her parents coaxed her to come back home by buying her a car. Being the only young lady in her friend group with a car, she drove her friends on many excursions to St. Louis, Calhoun County and Jersey County. During one of those adventures, she met the love of her life, Jerry.
They were blessed with a daughter, Kimberly Ann, on March 9, 1956, and later a second daughter, Mehlia Lynn, on June 27, 1964. Alice was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Altar Society, as well as the Alton area Hairdressers Association. Alice worked as a beautician beginning at Young’s Department Store and continuing at various salons until finally retiring from Henry Street Hair Salon at the age of 80.
Alice moved to Asbury Village after Jerry’s passing, and immediately became a very active participant in the Catholic community at “the Village.” She was known by many, and, true to form, volunteered for many leadership roles. Alice will always be remembered by those who knew her best as “the strongest person in the room!”
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law: Geneva (George) Hoehn, Ruth (Frank) Hoehn, Beatrice (John) Bayley, Midge (Earl) Gross; also brothers and sisters-in-law: Ed (Paula) Narup and Henry (Bobbi) Narup, and a sister-in-law, Mildred Banghart Surgeon. She was also preceded in death by her nieces and nephews: Bevy Ann Hoehn, Brenda Bayley Gedminas, Judy Hoehn Benecke, Doug Gross, Rick Narup, Cathy Bayley and Carole Hoehn Vitale.
Alice is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Kem) Laux and Mehlia (Bill) Simon, as well as grandchildren Corrie Wilson (Lee Green), Chris Laux, Ben (Amanda) Laux, Claire (Nathan) Rynders, Abigail Sames, Bryce (Laura) Simon and Brayden Simon. She was a loving great- grandmother to Maddox Laux, Wyatt Wilson, Lena Belle Laux, Cole Rynders, Lila Rynders and Eliana Laux. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Alice will forever be remembered for her STRENGTH, COURAGE, STAMINA and especially her FAITH, having attended daily 6:30 a.m. mass at St. Mary’s for decades until her poor vision no longer allowed.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School or Marquette Catholic High School. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
Gent Funeral Home
