Betty J (Steele) Bonewitz

Betty J. Bonewitz, 95, North Manchester, passed away January 19, 2024 at Parkview Wabash Hospital. The daughter of Elmer W. and Elsie L. (Martin) Steele, Betty was born June 2, 1928 in Roann, Indiana.

An extremely generous and caring person, Betty never finished high school, instead she stayed home to care for her father who became sick with tuberculosis. Throughout life Betty displayed this kind of compassion towards others, one day teaching her family the same compassion.

On April 7, 1946 Betty married Lawrence L. Bonewitz. For the next sixty-six years the two made a beautiful family, which included six children. Betty always did her part to help the family as much as possible, for twenty-three years she worked at United Technologies, before retiring in 1990.  As the children grew, Betty began to study the Bible and eventually she and Lawrence became members of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Wabash. She was a strong Christian, but at the same time she let her children grow on their own. Betty always wanted the best for her children and especially her grandchildren. As the children turned into adults, it was still important to Betty that they remain close. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, she and her kids would get together to play games. It wasn’t about the games with Betty, but it was about spending time with all of them together. On March 24, 2012 that Betty lost her best friend and love of her life, Lawrence. It was her family and faith that got her through this heartbreaking time.

The loving memory of Betty Bonewitz will be forever cherished by her sons, Ron (Pattie) Bonewitz, Laketon and Randall (Todd Delinger) Bonewitz, Columbia City; daughters, Nancy Bonewitz, North Manchester, Paula Damron, North Manchester, and Linda (Dan) Strombeck, Syracuse; brothers, Joe (Ellouise) Steele, North Liberty, Bill (Becky) Steele, North Manchester, and Richard (Diane) Steele, North Manchester; seventeen grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; and  eleven great-great- grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence; son, Michael Bonewitz; son-in-law, Dean Damron; daughter-in-law, Rachel Bonewitz; brothers, Robert and Raymond Steele; sisters, Dorothy Gray, Marriet Sanders, and Ruby Mae Steele; and three grandchildren.

Family and friends may call Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with calling at 10:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary. Elder David Myers will officiate and burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, at a later date.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Betty Bonewitz, memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 144, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Betty Bonewitz has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.