Elizabeth Anne Moncelle (Bartel), 85, passed away April 5, 2024 in Paris, Texas. A resident of Bonham, Texas, she was a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church there.
Liz was born on November 2, 1938 in Sterling, IL to Leo J. Bartel, Sr. and Marion (Allen) Bartel. She grew up in Sterling and graduated from Community Catholic High School in 1956. She worked at Central National Bank in Sterling.
She became a proud Texan after moving to Amarillo where she lived for many years, working as an aide at her children’s school and shuttling them around to events. She returned to Illinois to live with her brother and mother in Morrison then returned to Texas and settled in Bonham to be closer to her two grown children.
Fiercely independent, Liz was a deeply religious and patriotic woman. She loved nature—flowers, blossoming trees, colorful birds and blue skies. Music touched her soul, gave her tunes to hum, and connected her to the world around her. A new crossword puzzle and a good piece of chocolate made life worth living for her. She delighted in laughing with her grandchildren and hearing their stories. She stayed connected to her relatives, her children, their families, and others by routinely texting weekly Sunday blessings she wrote. She found friendship with her neighbors and with those who attended church with her.
To be loved and nurtured by Liz meant that you felt her gift of warmth and acceptance. She was an advocate for those who were sensitive, who had special needs or who needed a kind word, a big bear hug or a reassuring voice. She never met a stranger. She wasn’t only a mother to her children–she was a mom to all.
She is survived by her children, John Snyder and Laurie Fox; daughter-in-law Jill Snyder and son-in-law, Tom Fox; grandchildren William Snyder, Devin Snyder, Avery Fox and Alaina Reynolds, Kinsey Reynolds and Luke Froneberger; brother John A. Bartel, D.P.M. of Chicago, IL; Joan (Mrs. Phil) Sandoval of Sterling, IL; and many cherished nieces, nephews and their children.
She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Moncelle, her parents, her brother Rev. Father Leo J. Bartel, Jr., and sister Mary A. Real.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13 at Bright-Holland Funeral Home Chapel, 2601 Lamar Avenue in Paris, Texas. An interment will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery, 3509 CR 42600 in Reno, Texas.
Donations may be made to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/.
