Richard Bonner

GROVE - Richard Wayne Bonner, age 82, died August 19, 2007 at the Grove Nursing Center in Grove Oklahoma. Richard was born June 6, 1925 at Kellerton Iowa to Johnie and Alma (Axtell) Bonner. His father, mother and brother Raymond preceded him in death when Richard was very young. He lived with his grandparents George and Malinda Axtell and his Uncle and Aunt Loren and Doris Axtell, who have also preceded him in death. Richard attended Leasonville Iowa grade school and graduated May, 1944 from Mount Ayr high school in Mount Ayr, Iowa. On June 6, 1944, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Thelma Osborn. In July 1944, Richard entered the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Aranac in the Pacific theater of World War II. After honorable discharge from the Navy, Richard returned home to Iowa for a short time where daughter Jayne Bonner Johnson was born. The couple then moved to Joplin Missouri where Richard worked as a car parts salesman and sales representative for Meyers Motor Supply Company. Richard and Thelma had two sons while in Joplin, Richard G. and David M. Bonner. Later the family resided in fort Scott Kansas where his work continued. In 1964 his work with Hastings Manufacturing Co. transferred the family to Haysville Kansas where they lived until November of 2006. That is when he retired and moved to Grove Oklahoma. Family has always been the most important part of Richard's life. Family means everything. We are family. Although auto parts industry was his work, his hobby was working on his own cars. He could take apart and put back together again any car we owned which at one time was 21 vehicles. His first restoration project was a 1925 Dodge and his latest pride and joy was a 1955 Buick Roadmaster Convertible. Survivors include his beloved wife of 63 years, Thelma, daughter Jayne and her husband David Johnson of Grove Oklahoma, son David and wife Pattie Bonner of Santa Maria California. Grandchildren include Theresa Anderson, Jerrod Johnson, Ali and her husband Seth Baker, and Breeann Bonner, three Great-grandchildren, Clayton Anderson, Kiersten Bonner, and Drew Baker. Son, Richard, served in the United States Air Force and Navy for twenty years. He preceded his father in death due to a storm related accident in May of 2007. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr Iowa. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to the American Cancer Society or the American Kidney Foundation. Family and friends may leave online condolences by viewing obituary at www.honoringmemories.com. Services were entrusted to Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove Oklahoma.

Service Details

Private Family Services

Interment Details

Rose Hill Cemetery, Mt. Ayers, IA