Don Garland Bonner, age 88 passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at Cortland Acres Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. Mr. Bonner was born June 16, 1924 the son of Ira and Lena Carr Bonner. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his brothers Roscoe, Forrest, Paul, Stanley, Charles, Coy, Gerald, and his sister Naomi. On June 23, l947, at Red House, Maryland, Don was married to the former Catherine Louise Bright who preceded him in death on January 11, 2006, after more than 59 years of marriage. Don and Louise had two daughters, Patricia Ann Bonner Wisniewski and husband Lenny of Raleigh, NC and Donna Louise Bonner Teagarden and husband Kenneth of Parsons, WV. “Pop” as he was affectionately known to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, is survived by his three grandchildren, Krisdee and husband Casino Casey, Port Hope, Canada, Ryan and wife Tate Summerfield, Elkins, WV, and Kim and husband Tim Carr, Parsons, WV. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren, Aasta Jones, Georgia, Cayden Casey, Kentucky, Tanner Casey, Canada, Hannah Summerfield, Elkins, WV, Logan, Isaac, and Rachel Carr, Parsons, WV. After graduating from Parsons High School, Mr. Bonner served in the United States Army with the 975th Field Artillery Battalion. Don was in the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign. His military decorations and citations were European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the American Theatre Ribbon. He was a Cannoneer, Light Artillery. Don was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. Following his discharge from the Army, Don was employed at the former Lambert’s Chevrolet Company. He was a mechanic for many years and later served as a parts manager. After his retirement, Don was employed as a delivery driver for Kidwell’s Auto Parts. He loved meeting people while delivering parts to many areas of Tucker County. Many of the people he met on his route became cherished friends. Don was a member of the Hendricks Free Methodist Church for over 45 years. He was a Sunday school teacher, class leader and superintendent. He was known by the church as brother Don. Visitation will be held at the Summerfield Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 from 6PM until 9PM. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at the funeral home chapel at 1 PM. The Reverend Harley DeLeurere will officiate and interment will follow at Parsons City Cemetery.
