Earl Bangert

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Earl J. “Casey” Bangert, 95, a Pearl Harbor survivor, of Frontenac, passed away at 5:10 a.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Oakview Estates in Frontenac.

He was born March 7, 1923 at Avon, South Dakota, the son of William H. and Katherine (Sattler) Bangert. He grew up in Iowa.

On December 13, 1940, at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy in Great Lakes, Illinois. He served during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor after it was bombed by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. He was serving aboard the U.S.S. Monaghan, which was one of three ships that made it out to sea during the early morning attack. Later he transferred to the USS Case where he remained until he returned to the United States and left the military. A year and three months later, he reenlisted for a total of 20 years, also serving in the Korean War as a chief electronics technician and was honorably discharged on October 5, 1960 in Seattle, Washington.

Following his discharge, he worked for 35 years for the Federal Aviation Administration as a radar technician.

On June 13, 1988, he was united in marriage to Sandra Lee Blair at Reno, Nevada. They enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada in their R.V. They moved back to Pittsburg in 1997.

Mr. Bangert was a member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed playing golf. He also loved to play the organ.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Karen Schilf of Honolulu, Hawaii; two stepsons, Curtis Oxford and Steven Oxford, both of Glendale, Arizona; several nieces and nephews, including Cathy Bank, Francie Maxwell, Carol Ann Starr, and Candice Reiley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sandra Lee Bangert, three brothers, Paul, Stanley, and Alvin and 4 sisters, Velma, Barbara, Billie, and Luella.

A Memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday (Oct. 23) at Brenner Mortuary with Chaplain Dennis Uchtman officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy Funeral Detail. Burial of his cremains will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Oakview Estates Activity Fund or Angels Among Us. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.