Donald Bonney

Donald Lee "Don" Bonney, 71, was called into the hands of the Lord, at his home, on March 27, 2009, after a three-year battle with cancer. Don and his wife resided at Saxony Village in Cape Girardeau the past five years. They are formerly of Jackson.

Don was born Feb. 8, 1938, in Cape Girardeau, to Elvis and Lola McClard Bonney. He and Darlene Fiedler were married June 8, 1958.

Don was in the U.S. Air Force 20 years, from June 1956 to July 1976. Included in his various military occupations is his service as a load master in Vietnam during the war. At the conclusion of his military service, he returned to Jackson and worked 24 years at Brennecke Chevrolet.

Don was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, where he formerly served on the Stewardship Committee and was an usher. He was also a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, the VFW and Evening Optimist, all in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife, Darlene of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Cindy (Bob) Lichtenegger of Jackson; three sons, Mark (Merrilee) Bonney of Cape Girardeau, Kevin (Bev) Bonney of Van Buren, Mo., David Bonney of San Antonio; a sister, Shirley (Larry) Bock of Jackson; a half-brother, Bob Sawyer of Jackson; and two stepbrothers, Jim (Carol) Sawyer of O'Fallon, Mo., and Bill (Dorris) Sawyer of Hillsboro, Mo.

Also surviving are three granddaughters, Courtney Bonney of Bloomington, Ind., Kelley Lichtenegger of Kansas City, Mo., and Cheryl Lichtenegger of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Elmer Sawyer.

Visitation begins at 4 p.m. today, with the observance of an American Legion service. Visitation will conclude at 8 p.m.

Visitation continues at 9 a.m. Monday until time of service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Revs. David Johnson and Robert Henrichs officiating. Burial will follow at Apple Creek Presbyterian Cemetery in Pocahontas with full military honors.

Memorial gifts may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.