Ondavere Bonke

OndaVere G. (Schragg) Bonke, 85, of Battle Creek passed away on Monday, October 24, 2011 at Bronson Battle Creek. She was born in Battle Creek, Michigan to the late Grace (York) Schragg-Lyon and William “Ralph” Schragg on January 7, 1926. She married William H. Bonke on June 6, 1951. He preceded her in death. OndaVere graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1943. After receiving her Teaching Certificate from the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago in 1947 she taught private piano for many years. She worked for Federal Home Life Insurance Company (HBJ) for 24 years, retiring in 1987. While teaching piano she was a member of the Battle Creek Music Teachers Association. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Xi Chapter Sorority receiving the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter “Woman of the Year” and holding several offices throughout the years, and a life member of VFW Auxiliary Post 565. When her children were young she was a Bluebird and Campfire Leader and a Den Mother for Cub Scouts. She was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church where she used to be an organist and sang in the church choir. Among her countless volunteer activities through the years are piano playing at many of the nursing homes in the area, piano accompaniment for the Burnham Brook Singers (later known as Valentine Singers) and playing piano for St Phillip’s “Entertainment”, as well as many hours spent at the desk at Burnham Brook Community Center. She enjoyed her grandchildren, traveling, gardening, baking cookies, canning, knitting, crocheting, collecting angels, and of course, playing the piano. Surviving are her children Linda (Gary) Royer of Kalamazoo, Larry (Shannon) Bonke of Texas, Cecilia (William) Porter of Battle Creek, Sherry (Kenneth) Beninghaus of Battle Creek, and Carl (Cathy) Bonke of California, a sister Vivian Ryan of Kalamazoo, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm Wednesday October 26, 2011 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home where a Rosary will be held at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 am Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Humane Society of South Central Michigan, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, or charity of one’s choice.

---