Bonnie Gearhart

Bonnie Gearhart never asked “Why me?” She was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life incredible joy.

As World War II continued to occupy the world’s attention in 1943, Rodger and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma! combined the serious mood of the country with entertainment for the first time. Bonnie Lee was born on September 22nd of this year to her parents, Dewey and Alma (Cunningham) Groves. Along with her brother, Phillip, Bonnie grew up in their family home on Stockbridge in the populous Edison neighborhood on the east side of Kalamazoo. She received her education in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1961. Thereafter, Bonnie went on to attend Western Michigan University for three years.

It was while in high school that Bonnie met her future husband, Les Gearhart, and in time they were married on December 15, 1965. It wasn’t just the two of them for long, though, because within the next year, they welcomed the birth of their first child, a son they named Erick “Rick”. He was joined three years later by their son, Steven, who rounded out the Gearhart household. The family of four made their home on Lakeway Street in Milwood for a while, but then moved to Texas Township in southwestern Kalamazoo County.

Bonnie was the definition of motherhood. From running her boys around and managing the house to Little League baseball games and school activities, Bonnie’s passion was to support her family. She loved the holidays, and there was always a huge family feast on Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas and even Halloween. If her family didn’t keep her busy enough, Bonnie also had a wallpapering business and volunteered with the Kids Connection. Unfortunately, Bonnie’s marriage to Les ended in divorce in 1998, after which time her focus became her new grandchildren.

Although Bonnie worked hard for her family, she also found time to have fun. She loved traveling to Florida where she could enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. Her family had a place on Gun Lake and Bonnie loved to be by the water. For many years, she was active on a bowling league, and she loved photography so much that she took some classes at KVCC. Bonnie became the community photographer, taking pictures of the neighborhood kids and special events, recording many happy moments with the flash of her camera. She processed most of the pictures herself. Bonnie was also known to be a “bit of a collector” and found many great treasures while bargain hunting at garage sales. She always had her eyes open for buttons, eye wash glasses and antiques she could refinish. In her quieter moments at home, Bonnie enjoyed listening to country music or the crooning of the King – Elvis Presley, who she saw in concert at the Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo. She also kept up on her soap operas and enjoyed sitcoms, just not Wheel of Fortune. Bonnie was an avid reader, and had collected a wide variety of books over the years.

Bonnie had such a warm, genuine personality that she just naturally drew people into her life. And when Bonnie made a friend – it was for life. Some of her lifelong friends included Faye Koestner, Rita Paulsen, Jo Weems, Jenny Hartman, Jean Zito, Ann Steele, and many, many others, who remained close to Bonnie until the end. Also close to her heart were her beloved cats, Eunice and Ma Ma Kitty. Bonnie’s greatest joy, however, was found in her grandchildren, whom she adored and loved to spend time with.

In 2001, Bonnie suffered her first stroke, and had two others after that. The last one she had was in 2004, which left her in need of special care. She went to Bronson Nursing & Rehabilitation in Lawton in February of that year. It was here that Bonnie passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at the age of 64.

Bonnie was one of those very special people you hope you will have the good fortune to meet one day. She was a devoted mother, doting grandmother and true friend, who will be deeply missed and frequently remembered.

Learn more about Bonnie, view her Life Story film and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday, February 27, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900), where refreshments will be served. Private family interment will take place in Virgo Cemetery, Texas Township. Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Dewey Groves. She is survived by her mother, Alma Groves of Kalamazoo; one brother, Phillip (Carol) Groves of Kalamazoo; two sons: Rick (Mary) Gearhart of Mattawan, and Steven (Mirthala) Gearhart of Mattawan; three grandchildren: Valery, Thomas and Anthony. The family would like to thank the dedicated professionals at Bronson Nursing & Rehabilitation for the care they provided to Bonnie for the past four years.

Please visit Bonnie’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Kids Connection.