Douglas A. Bonewitz's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Douglas A. Bonewitz, age 76 of Charleston, went to be with his Lord andSavior on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Inaccordance with his wishes and those of his family, his body will be crematedand Memorial Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at a laterdate. If you wish to make a memorialgift in his honor, the family has requested that gifts be made to theAlzheimer's Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars or to the First BaptistChurch in Charleston. Gifts may bemailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL61920. Doug was born October 26,1934 in Huntington County, Indiana to the late Charles and Mary (Hall) Bonewitz. He married Betty J. Schultz on August 8, 1954in the town of Huntington and they have enjoyed fifty-six years of marriage andfriendship. In addition to Betty, Dougis survived by two children, Bradley A. Bonewitz of Charleston and Angela D.White of Denton, Texas; seven grandchildren, Justin C. White, Charles HunterWhite, Douglas Andrew White, Joshua R. Bonewitz and wife Amanda, James T. Watson,Martaya S. Watson, Kelsey J. Hutchcraft; two great-grandchildren, Kaden W.Price and Ryley D. Bonewitz; and a sister, Joan Wilson and her husband Bob ofElkhart, Indiana. In addition to hisparents Doug was preceded in death by two brothers, Reid Bonewitz ofIndianapolis and Reverend Robert Bonewitz of Warsaw, Indiana. Doug was a graduate of theRock Creek Township High School in Huntington and attended Ball StateUniversity where he attained his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He earned a Specialist Degree at EasternIllinois University. He was also a proudVeteran of the United States Air Force and continued to support his fellowpatriots through his contributions to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of theUnited States of which he was a member as well as the American LegionBloomington, Illinois Post 2910. He wasalso a Lion Club member in Indiana, a Gideon, and a member of the StateUniversity Annuitants Association. Doug began his career inCharleston in the Advisement Center at E.I.U. He later accepted a position as an Advisor at Lake Land College inMattoon, a position that he was committed to for twenty-eight years. Doug allowed his deep faithin God to guide his life. He was adevoted and active member of First Baptist Church in Charleston where he servedin a variety of capacities including, deacon, Sunday school teacher, Board ofEducation and choir member. He alsodemonstrated his caring concern for others by serving a term on the ColesCounty Board and as Board Chairman of Campus Life at E.I.U. His hobbies included fishing,golfing, racquetball and antiquing - he had a talent for refinishing andrestoring antiques. He enjoyedtraveling with Betty and together they experienced many wonderful destinationsboth in the U.S. and abroad. Doug was agentleman whose high moral character guided the way he lived his life which servedas a role model for many. He was a goodprovider for his family as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfatherand great-grandfather. Doug will trulybe missed by his family and friends and their many fond memories of timesshared are now blessings of comfort.
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