Submitted by: Dan Rich
Jan. 18, 1928 - Dec. 15, 2007
South Bend Tribune 12/16/2007
SOUTH BEND - Ernest A.G. Bonek, 79, passed away on
Saturday, Dec. 15, at 4:04 a.m. in Memorial Hospital. Ernest was
born on January 18, 1928, in South Bend, to the late Sylvester
and Martha (Reiter) Bonek. He was also preceded in death
by a sister, Geraldine Bonek, and by a brother, Eugene Bonek.
On May 5, 1951, he married Joy (Broadwell),
who survives along with their children, Melody (Richard Weiss)
Bonek of Granger, Mary Lea (Greg) Szabo of Mishawaka,
David (Anne) Bonek of Elkhart and Mark (Stacey) Bonek of South
Bend; eight grandchildren, Jason, Adam, Derek, Kara, Aleah,
Ariah, Jacob and Madisen; a great-granddaughter, Alivia; sister,
Mary (Robert) Whittington of Rifle, CO; and two brothers,
Daniel (Beverly) Bonek and Robert (Janet) Bonek, both of South
Bend.
Ernest served in the United State Army. He
retired in 1989 after 37 years from the U.S. Postal Service as a
station manager, and was a member of Christ the King Catholic
Church. This sensitive, soft-spoken man has been lovingly and
respectfully addressed in many ways: Dad, Papa, Ernie or Ernest.
To the many devoted people in his fruitful life, these names
signify a variety of cherished feelings. Papa, affectionately and
admirably referred to by his grandchildren, enjoyed a loving
relationship with these eight children. All the years that he
spent working so hard to provide for his children were
compensated for by his closeness and time spent with these
adoring grandchildren. His greatest joy in life was the time he
spent with his family including traveling, board games, jigsaw
puzzles, and especially celebrating the holidays. He will be
missed.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday,
Dec. 17, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road, where
a Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will
be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. in Christ the King
Catholic Church, with visitation in the church from 9:15 a.m. to
10 a.m. on Tuesday. Entombment will follow at Resurrection
Garden, St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions
may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111
Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the Humane Society,
2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.