Mr. James B. Bonner

Bonner, James B. “Jim”, age 90, of the Town of Dover, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Memorial Hospital of Burlington on February 5, 2015. Jim was born on October 31, 1924 in Millburn, IL, the son of the late Robert and Grace (nee. Beaumont) Bonner. He attended Millburn Graded School. His family then relocated to the Town of Dover farm where he has lived ever since. Jim was a graduate of the Rochester AG School. On November 13, 1948 he married Thelma Clark at Millburn Congregational Church. They raised five children on their dairy farm. Jim is one of the longest standing members of the Rochester Congregational Church of which he joined in 1939. He served as trustee and helped with many committees within his church family. Jim was a Dairy 4-H Leader for the Town of Dover, a past member of the Union Grove Co-op Board and Sunnyside School Board. After dispersing his dairy herd Jim spent much of his time focused on his parent's passion of caning and repairing caned chairs. He also enjoyed his raspberry patch and spending time in his garden. Most of all, Jim loved spending time with family and friends.
Jim is survived by his loving wife: Thelma, Children: Barbara Bonner of Romeoville, IL, Donald (Gigi Van Acker) and Betty (Jeff) Bratz of Dover, Richard “Dick” (Jill) Bonner of Burlington and Patricia (Bill) Ehlen of Lyons; Grandchildren: Rachel (Jeff) Engen, Matthew (Johni) Brown, Laura (Brian) Spence, Kyle (Sam Donegan) Bonner, Jamie (John) Vaccara, Tim (Ashley) Bratz, Ryan (Piper) Bratz, Mark (Megan Vosberg) Bratz, Bryan (Mollie) West, Kelsey and Kate Bonner, Elizabeth (fiancé Mike Schmidt), Breanna, Chad , Will(Elli Arnouts) and Noah(Natalie Duke) Ehlen; Great-grandchildren: Kyelar, Austin, Abigail, Jaxon, Madison, Jillian, Jenna and Hayden; One God-child: Juliette Roy. He is also survived by his sister-in-law: Lucille Engh; Brothers-in-law: John (JoAnn) and Glen (Judy) and Robert Clark; and by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, infant Son: Charles E.; Brother: George (Carole); Sisters-in-law: Anne Clark, Bernice (Walter) Fontaine and Juanita (Ray) Houser and brother-in-law: Clayton Engh.
Memorial Services will be held at First Congregational Church of Rochester on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 3:00 PM. A Memorial Gathering and Visitation will be held prior to services in church from 1-3 PM. In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy the family suggests memorials be made to either First Congregational Church of Rochester or Aurora VNA Hospice.
A special Thank You from Jim’s family to the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Aurora VNA Hospice for their loving care of Jim.
Mealy Funeral Home
Waterford, Wisconsin
262-534-2233
www.mealyfuneralhome.com