Gent Funeral Home

03/31/2026

Dateline: Alton
Sharon Davis, 85, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026 at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home. She was born on October 30, 1941 in Mammoth Spring Arkansas, the daughter of the late Clifford and Imogene (Colley) Nicholson. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Monty) Schwaab, grandson Robb (Amy) Davis, and great grandson Gibson Musial Davis. Other survivors include two half-sisters: Wanda Nicholson of Cottage Hills and Pam Nicholson of Bethalto, one-half brother, Dennis Nicholson of Cottage Hills, and step brother Rod (Lori) Smith of Arizona. She was proceeded in death by her brother Russell Nicholson and two step brothers, Paul and Virgil Harlan.
Sharon, like the majority of her siblings, retired from the United State Postal Service, finishing her time at the Remote Encoding Center in Brandon, FL after many years spent working at the Bulk Mail Center in Hazelwood, MO. In retirement, she spent several years working for the Los Angeles Dodgers at their ‘Dodger Town’ spring training and minor league complex in Vero Beach, FL.
She was a rolling stone, leading her back and forth from Illinois to Florida several times along with a stopover in Texas during a stretch of her life spent in the aeronautics industry, starting at McDonnell (later McDonnell-Douglas) and later Grumman and Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). She was devout in her Catholic faith found later in life and was a lover of music, dancing, animals, baseball, good whiskey, and not necessarily in that order. She was the life of the party in every room she chose to be, with a sense of humor shaped by frequent stints in the service industry over two decades.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday April 22, 2026 from 2pm to 5pm at the Alton Motor Boat Club at 11134 Harbor Dell in Godfrey.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s church in Alton. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/31/2026

Catherine Ann Massey, 71, went to be with the Lord at 4:17 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026 at her home in Godfrey. Born July 29, 1954, in Alton, she was the daughter of Gerhard “Gary” and Dorothy Louise Mary (Wilken) Pilz. On October 10, 1987, she married Randy G. Massey in Alton. He survives. Cathy was a secretary for the Alton School District before staying home to raise her family. She attended Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey and loved the Lord with all her heart. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were her passion. Along with her husband she is survived by three children, Douglas Hughey (Jenny) of Maryland Heights, MO, Lisa Monroe (Jon) of Bethalto, and David Massey (Erin) of Alton, seven grandchildren, Laura, Megan, Olivia, Lillian, William, Maebry and Rosie. She is also survived by her brother, David Pilz, of Corvallis, Oregon. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at Evangelical United Church of Christ. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Reverend Tim Darmour-Paul will officiate. Memorials may be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ or the Alzheimer’s Association. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/25/2026

Mary Joanne Miles, 67, died at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at her home in Alton. Born August 28, 1958 in Alton, she was the daughter of Betty Jean (Williamson) Mugge of Alton and the late George Harold Mugge. Mary was a cook for the Alton School District for 40 years. She married John A. Miles, and they were married for 35 years. He survives. Along with her mother and husband, she is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Laird (Sam Maddux) of Alton, a sister, Martha E. Stamper (Kenneth) of Roxana, and two brothers, David C. Mugge (Paula) of Alton and Paul T. Mugge (Gail) of Alton as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Along with her father she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles L. Mugge and George E. Mugge. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Gent Funeral Home where funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the 5A’s Animal Shelter. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/15/2026

Dorothy Lence Mainer, 85, of Godfrey, IL passed peacefully on March 14th. Born July 11, 1940 in Cobden, IL to Ernest and Gladys Lence, she attended and graduated from Cobden High School and Excella Beauty School with Beauty Culturist certification. On August 1, 1958 she married Lowell Valgene...

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03/12/2026

Dateline: Godfrey
Bill Francis, 82, died at 12:36 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Bill was born April 1, 1943 to Odell and Mae (Schaefer) Francis in Alton, IL.
Bill attended Alton High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1961 to 1965.
On September 18, 1965 he met the love of his life, Janet Scoggins, and they were married on September 3, 1966 at St. Bernard Church in Wood River, IL. They enjoyed 59 years together.
Bill was employed by the Alton School District for 37 years, retiring on June 30, 2001. During his years of service, he worked as a bus driver/maintenance warehouse driver. He then advanced to warehouse supervisor and then to maintenance supervisor. Bill drove the instruments for the “Marching 100” from 1968-2001.
He leaves behind his wife Jan and four children, Donna (Rob) Argus, Todd Francis, Heather Knetzer and John (Heather) Francis. Five grandchildren, Christine and Sarah Argus, William Knetzer, Goldie Francis, and Emma Le Grand. Four siblings, Judy Barnes, Joanne (Gary) Metcalfe, Tom (Shari) Francis, David (Janet) Francis and many nieces and nephews.
Bill enjoyed camping with his children and grandchildren. When Bill and Jan retired, they enjoyed spending their winters in Guld Shores, Alabama. They belonged to the Midwest R.V. Club and enjoyed many trips with them. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
After selling their home of 56 years, in Alton’s Middletown, they moved to Asbury Village in Godfrey, IL. There they found an extended family, friends and caring staff.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at Asbury Village, 5201 Asbury Lane, Godfrey, IL.
Memorials may be made to the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) Western Star Lodge #1, 2532 State Street, Alton, IL 62002 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/11/2026

Margery Ann Hackethal, 97, died at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Asbury Village. Born January 25, 1929 in Alton, she was the daughter of Felix and Mae (Little) Boschert. She married Peter L. Hackethal on November 17, 1951 in El Paso, TX. He preceded her in death on October 3, 2017. Marge retired in 1991 as a contact representative for the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. She was a member of St. Matthew’s Church in Alton and later St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was an avid reader, piano player and loved a good card game. She also enjoyed swimming until the age of 94. She was always ready for a good party and will be remembered for her warm smile and generosity. Surviving are three daughters, Diana Schoenherr of Petersburg, IL, Elaine Meyer (Dale) of Ashland, IL, and Margaret Williams (Kris) of Holiday Shores, IL, and daughter-in-law, Juli Hackethal of Centralia, MO. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Andy Hackethal, a son-in-law, Jim Schoenherr, two brothers, Tommy (who died in infancy), Felix M. Boschert and a sister, Lucy Boschert. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until time of memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The family would like to thank Asbury Village for the outstanding care of their mother. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/11/2026

Robert Glenn Snyder, 59 of Brighton passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital on March 8, 2026 at 6:48 p.m. surrounded by his family. He was born on January 3, 1967 in Alton to Norma Snyder.
He married the love of his life Charlene Lane on August 27, 1994.
He worked as a dispatcher at BNSF Logistics for almost 30 years. Robert was full of love, warmth, and character. He enjoyed being around family and always cracking the best jokes.
He is survived by his spouse Charlene (Lane) Snyder of Brighton, niece Jamey Jones of Belleville, nephew, Jassen Jones and son Dashiel of East Alton, brothers and sisters-in-law: Jack and Chris Geisler of Girard, Mindy and Johnny Brake of Alton, Misty and Chris Korando of Eldred. Along with multiple other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his mother Norma Snyder, mother-in-law Mary Sauls, and two sisters Kayla Burns and Bobbie Hayes.
Donations can be made to the national kidney foundation. https://www.kidneyfund.org/
A celebration of life will be held next month (April), details via Facebook to follow. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

03/10/2026

Barney Michael Pitchford, 86, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend died at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Hawthorne Inn of Jerseyville. Born September 10, 1939, in Sesser, Illinois, he was the son of Clyde and Marie (Thomas) Pitchford.
Mike (Barney) was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the North Alton Southern Baptist Church. Mike held many jobs during his lifetime, and he loved talking about them. He retired as a pipefitter after many long years working at Shell Refinery.
On June 5, 1965, he married Margaret Ann Barrow. She was the love of his life and the two were devoted to each other. Margaret died on March 21, 2023. Mike is survived by one sister, Gladys Hindelang, of Edwardsville, nephews Jeff, Craig, and Brian Hindelang, nieces, Julie Burgess, Linda (Jim) Allen, Charlotte (Clint) Hill, several great nieces and nephews, aunts, Dorothy Hazelwonder and Leona Hawkins, and several cousins. Besides his parents and wife, Mike was preceded in death by brothers Clyde Earl and Kenneth Ray Pitchford.
Mike (Barney) was a storyteller extraordinaire. His specialty was telling tall tales in which he was the main character. People will remember him as a talker who loved to share jokes and riddles and regale those he met with all kinds of trivia. Mike never met a stranger. He enjoyed reading, memorizing scripture, and making crafts (whittling monkeys from peach pits, creating Jacob’s ladders, crafting beaded reindeer, etc.). Mike was generous – with his time, with his talents, with his possessions, and with the candy he carried in his pocket to distribute to others. Mike loved animals, especially dogs. He also loved people, and he and Margaret helped many during their lifetime together. Those who knew Mike (Barney) will never forget him – he certainly left an impression. Those who knew him well, will miss him, not so much for the many stories he repeatedly told, but because we knew his big heart and his positive outlook when it came to people; especially to the people he loved.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Reverends Steven Helfrich and Sonny Renken will officiate. Memorials may be made to North Alton Southern Baptist Church or the 5A’s animal shelter. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www. gentfuneralhome.com.

03/10/2026

Donna Elaine Hill, age 90, passed away at 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Charter Senior Living in Godfrey. She was born on July 2, 1935, in Alton, the daughter of Clarence Arthur and Ursula Ardella (Schnebelen) Heyne. On January 7, 1956, she was united in marriage to Jack Lee Hill in Toledo, OH; he survives. They marked their 70th wedding anniversary this past January 7th.
Mrs. Hill dedicated 24 years to her career as a self-employed cosmetologist before retiring in 2005. Her early work experience included employment at Vogue in downtown Alton during her teenage years, as well as part-time work while raising her children. She later served as a designer at Gilbert’s Ethan Allen in Alton, where she was notable for her distinctive habit of “smoking a pipe.” Mrs. Hill was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Hill of Alton, her sons Perry (Jeanne) Hill of Godfrey and Steven (Pamela) Hill of Alton, and her daughter Carla (Jeffrey) Bland of Godfrey. Mrs. Hill is also survived by four grandchildren: Erin (Dane) Beiser, Corby (Joe) Young, Tyler (Ashley) Hill, and Stephanie (Adam) King; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Noelle, Claire, Heidi, Emmy, Jack, Maisie, Andy, Lucy, and Kate. Additionally, she is survived by her brother Richard (Elaine) Heyne of Toledo, OH, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Rita Schrumpf.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Gent Funeral Home in Alton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m.
A private interment for family will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Marquette Catholic High School or St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Additional details and an online guestbook can be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

03/10/2026

Dateline: Godfrey
Kay Louise Hopper, 83, died at 5:27 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2026 at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Born November 9, 1942 in Alton, she was the daughter of William and Evelyn (Kies) Warren. On November 23, 1963 she married Lyndel Lee Hopper in St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death on July 14, 2025. Mrs. Hopper was a registered nurse for St. Anthony’s Hospital in Alton and then for Dr. Steve Edwards. She retired in 1996. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Surviving are two daughters, Christine Hamblin (Allan) of Godfrey, Michelle Hopper Petersen (Todd) of Alton, two sons, Mark Hopper (Debbie) of Ballwin, MO, and David Hopper (Harmony) of Lake Villa, IL, and four grandchildren, Matthew, Jordyn, Aiden and Gavin. Also surviving are two brothers, Ricky Warren and Mike Warren (Sandy), one sister, Joan Ducar and a sister-in-law, Martha Warren. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Warren. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Father Steve Janoski will officiate. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

02/24/2026

Janet Elaine Jenkins, 83, died peacefully at 5:57 a.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026 at LaBella of Alton, having been given her Last Rites by Father Paul Bonk, Chaplain OSF. Born March 20, 1942 in Alton, she was the daughter of Clyde Theodore and Freda Irene (Boker) Wright. Janet graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1960 and later attended Lewis & Clark Community College where she earned her associates degree in 1992. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. On August 3, 1963 she married Edward Stephen Jenkins at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton. He preceded her in death on October 14, 2018. Surviving is daughter, Theresa Cretin (Stanley) of St. Peters, MO, a son, Anthony “Tony” Jenkins (Deanna) of Wood River, two grandchildren, Danielle Jenkins (Kyle Walker) of Alton, and Ryan Cretin (Ciara) of O’Fallon, MO, five great grandchildren, Finley, Colten, Presley, Jace and Jordan. Also surviving three brothers, Stephen (Patti), Larry and Roger Wright, and one sister, Mary Kay Curry, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Kenneth Wright, two sisters-in-law; Ann and Doris Wright and a brother-in-law; Jonathan Curry. Per Janet’s wishes, her body was donated to St. Louis University School of Medicine. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Father Steve Janoski will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Church or Senior Services Plus. The family would like to thank OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital and OSF Hospice as well as the friends and staff at LaBella of Alton. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

02/18/2026

Dateline: Godfrey

Robert Allen “Bob” Darnstaedt, 90, a longtime resident of Godfrey, Illinois, died February 5, 2026.

He was born July 21, 1935, the son of Edwin and Hulda (Luedeman) Darnstaedt. He grew up on a family farm near Jacob, Illinois, and graduated from Gorham High School in 1953.

Bob spent most of his working life in auto parts sales in Murphysboro and later in the Alton area.

On February 23, 1957, he married Elizabeth Anne “Liz” Sorrels in Murphysboro. The couple moved from Murphysboro to Godfrey in 1969 and spent the remainder of their married life there.

Bob was known for his kindness, his sense of humor and his love of classic cars. He owned several classic cars over the years, and one of his Nash automobiles in particular earned recognition as a “most unique vehicle.” In retirement, he was a familiar presence as a morning mall walker for many years. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his nephews and nieces, Rev. Mark (Linda) Darnstaedt, Karla Darnstaedt, Kristyl (Eddie) Mangrum, Denise Amschler and Renee Lofgren; and several members of his extended family, including Adam Morris, Heather Morris, Ted Morris and Mary Anne Morris, who were close to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, LeRoy Darnstaedt; and his sister, Delphine Amschler.

A visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, with a meal to follow.

Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at

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