ALICE (BANKOWSKI) DEBEL

Jan. 25, 1925 - May 2, 2009
MISHAWAKA - Alice S. (Bankowski) DeBel, 84, of Mishawaka, passed away early Saturday morning, May 2, 2009 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. Alice was born January 25, 1925 in South Bend, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Ann (Jankowski) Bankowski.

She grew up in South Bend and graduated from Central High School in 1943.

Alice married Albert V. DeBel on May 1, 1948. The couple lived in South Bend before settling in Mishawaka in 1956.

In her early years, Alice was employed at First Bank and Trust (1st Source) and when her children were older she went to work at I & M Electric. Alice was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking and Rose gardening. When her children were growing up, she assisted with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and was a member of the service organization, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Alice was a long-time member of St. Bavo Catholic Church. Over the years she has been active with her 1943 Class Reunion Committee. Alice liked watching sports on television. She is remembered as a loving, generous person who was a good listener.

Alice's family was the center of her life and they include her two children, Morris (Susan) DeBel of Jacksonville, Florida and Marcia (Tony) Dosmann of Mishawaka; two brothers, H.J. "Kelly" (Dee) Bankowski of South Bend and E. Don Bankowski of Mesa, Arizona; three sisters, Genevieve Kaczorowski of South Bend, Helena Pierce of South Bend and Dolores Mull of Phoenix, Arizona; five grandsons, Justin DeBel, Nathan (Alyssa) Dosmann, Joel (Katie) Dosmann, Eric Dosmann and Kyle Dosmann; and one great grandson, Drew Dosmann. Alice was looking forward to another great grandchild to be born in July.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband in 1992; three sisters, Regina Kazda, Henrietta Fournier and Clara Lupa; and a brother, Raymond Bankowski.

Friends may spend time with Alice's family today (Tuesday) from 2-4 and 6-8 pm in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third St., Mishawaka. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 am in St. Bavo Catholic Church, 511 W. Seventh St., Mishawaka, with Rev. Barry England officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Contributions in Alice's memory may be given to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care or American Cancer Society. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.

Published by South Bend Tribune on May 5, 2009.

01/14/2023 EJS