Donald Frank Bangert, 87, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2014 in Sunset Nursing Home. His faithful and exceptional nurse practitioner Jane Peterson diagnosed Don with lymphoma cancer in June of 2013. He fought a long and courageous battle since then and was able to stay in his home with the assistance of his caring wife, wonderful Hospice staff, and competent Carelink staff until three weeks ago. At that time, it was determined he needed 24-hour care and he went to Sunset Home where he received excellent care from the staff there, as well as still being cared for by Hospice personnel.

Don was born August 22, 1926 in Quincy to John and Agnes Deters Bangert. He attended St. John’s School and was a 1944 graduate of Quincy Senior High.

He married Alvera Maas on March 02, 1945. Alvera died in childbirth September 22, 1952.

Don served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He received a Compassion transfer from Germany back to the U.S. so that he could help his parents take care of his sickly infant daughter Donna Elizabeth Alvera Bangert. Sadly, Donna died April 08, 1955 after multiple stays in the hospital.

Don was of the Catholic faith. Don worked at Gardner-Denver for 44 years as an assembler and tow-motor driver. He retired in September 1988.

In earlier years, he did a lot of site-seeing in many states. He enjoyed working in his garden and tending to animals. He loved dogs and his inside cats and always fed the outside birds, squirrels, rabbits, and any stray cats that came along. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he liked bowling and bowled on several leagues. He enjoyed watching baseball and basketball games on TV and was a real Cub’s fan. Don could play music by ear and was quite entertaining on the piano. Don was a very opinionated person, but also a very intelligent and handy person.

Don married Lois (Becky) Balzer on November 19, 1979. She survives. Also surviving are a stepdaughter Maureen Sue (Suzie) Balzer-Jones and her husband William R. (Butch) Jones.
Several nieces, nephews, cousins, and three special friends: Norb Mock, Don Kealen, and Tom Kitch. It would be very negligent to not also mention Don’s 13-year-old kitty, “Sissy” whom he loved dearly.

Preceding Don in death were his parents, first wife, infant daughter, brother John and his wife Mildred, and brother Robert and his wife Eunice.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday February 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church by Rev. Jeff Stone. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Don would have appreciated donations be made to Blessing Foundation for Hospice or the Quincy Humane Society. www.dukerandhaugh.com