Denver Edmond Bonnette

Denver Edmond Bonnette, 91, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Dec. 6, 2011. He was born on Dec. 5, 1920, in Elizabeth, W.Va. to the late Eura and Willa Hutchenson Bonnette. He lived for 31 years at 134 Warner Street in Marietta before moving to Hannah's House Assisted Living in Marietta in February of 2006.

On Sept. 8, 1944, he married Sara Lou Wendelken who preceded him in death on Feb 21, 2000.

He was the father of five sons, James (Darlene), Charles M. (Ellery), Gerald "Jerry" (Robi) of Marietta and John (Ann) of Cutler. A son, Daniel, is deceased. He had 12 grandchildren, James Jr (Jodie), Curtis, Joshua, Michael (Ashley) and DJ of Marietta; Angela (Joe) Miller of Katy, Texas; Nycol (Rick) Brown of Sissonville, W.Va.; Tobi Bonnette of Vienna, W.Va.; Wyatt Bonnette of Lancaster, Ohio, and Jessica, John, and Tyson Bonnette of Cutler, Ohio. He had five great-grandchildren, Olivia Bonnette, Drew and Abigail Miller, and Chance and Peyton Brown.

He is survived by one brother, Harold (Betty), of Marietta; and two sisters, Wilma (Duane) Wilson of Elizabeth, W.Va. and Roberta (Don) Struble of Rising Sun, Md.. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Juanita Bonnette of Ironton, Ohio and Wanda Wendelken of Snellville, Ga.; and two brothers-in-law, Van (Lila) Wendelken of Belpre and Richard (Judy) Wendelken of Bayville, N.J.; plus several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Forrest, Virgil and Paul; and three sisters, Vivian Thompson, Esther Kidder & Helen McCoy.

He attended Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, W.Va. He was employed as a truck driver by Huffman Brothers and then by Ford Brothers for 35 years as a mechanic. He was 66-year member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Marietta.

He enjoyed playing softball in his younger years and later umpired baseball and softball. He also enjoyed his vegetable garden and growing roses. He loved giving his vegetables and roses away as gifts. He spent many hours watching sports.

His son James and great-granddaughter Abigail shared his birthday of Dec 5.

Services will be at 10:30 on Friday (Dec. 9) at the First Church of the Nazarene on Millcreek Road in Marietta. Burial will be at the East Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon after 2 p.m. Family will greet friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

The family request memorial contributions may be made to Marietta Home Health & Hospice, 210 N. Seventh, Marietta 45750.