Submitted by: Dan Rich

Bonnie Jewell VonStetina

Sept. 4, 1943 - Oct. 2, 2008

South Bend Tribune 10/5/2008
MISHAWAKA - Bonnie Jewell VonStetina, 65, of Mishawaka, passed away from complications from surgery on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. Bonnie Jewell was born on September 4, 1943, in Gloversville, N.Y., to the union of James and Mildred Knipes. Bonnie married the love of her life, Tom VonStetina, on November 23, 1963, in Schenectady, NY. Tom and Bonnie have raised their family in Mishawaka since 1968. Bonnie's greatest joy was being a wife, mom, and grandma. She loved to share time with family and friends, whether it was by the pool, scrapbooking, or vacationing around the world. Bonnie sponsored the team she participated in on the Wednesday Ladies Night Out bowling league at Joey Armadillos. With the rest of her free time, Bonnie shopped, sewed, read, and cooked. Bonnie enjoyed the relationships gained over the years while building her tax and accounting business, Bonnie Jewell Agency. Bonnie has built a strong foundation around her family by being a role model, mentor, friend, and loving companion to her husband. Bonnie will always be remembered by her friends and family as a giving, laughing, and compassionate woman who had passion and zest for life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Knipes and her brother, Bill Knipes. Bonnie is survived by her loving husband Tom; five children, Trysh (Deb Claeys) VonStetina, Sherri (Rudy) Vegh, Tracey (Ivan) Watson, Scott VonStetina, and Penii (Jeff) Plunkitt of Indianapolis; 17 grandchildren, Sean, Kaitlin, Casey, Emily, Justin, Tiphanee, Austin, Aryka, Kaylee, Kaycee, Caleb, Cole, Jessica, Ashton, McKynzie, Joshua and Ryleigh. She is also survived by her father, James Knipes of Edwardsburg, MI. and her sister Patricia Smith of Virginia.