Mary Jane Banta

Mary Jane (Hauersperger) Banta, age 72, died peacefully surrounded by friends and family on December 23, 2024. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother - Mary will always be remembered for her faith, kindness and generosity. 

Born in Seymour, Indiana April 30, 1952, Mary wed the love of her life Ed Banta on June 14, 1975. Her teaching career started in 1974 and spanned 36 years. Starting in Vallonia, IN Mary continued her elementary teaching career at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School before becoming assistant principal at Northeastern Elementary in Richmond. She became principal of Saint Louis de Montfort elementary in 2002 and was assistant superintendent of the Lafayette Diocese beginning in 2007. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Marilyn Hauersperger and her sister Eileen. Mary is survived by her husband Ed, her daughters Megan Brink (Dave), Ann Yolish (Todd) and her son Ed Banta (Alison), her six grandchildren Jacob, Molly, Henry, Oliver, Clara and Marilyn, her sisters Susan (Bob) and Cathy and her brothers Gerald (Sheila), Bernard (Cari) and Timothy (Michelle). 

Visitation and a celebration of Mary’s life will be held Thursday, January 2nd at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church from 4:00PM – 8:00PM with a Rosary recited at 7:30PM. Additional visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Friday, January 3rd from 9:15AM – 10:15AM, at which time the eulogy will be given followed by the Mass at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in Mary’s name.