Allen (Barney) Bonnell's Obituary
Allen F. (Barney) Bonnell passed away peacefully, Tuesday, December 27, 2005. He was born in Waupaca on June 16, 1941. He was the youngest of 7 children, born to Lester D. and Doreen W. (Roch) Bonnell. As a young teenager, he went to live with his oldest brother's family, becoming the Uncle/big brother for their children. Barney attended Waupaca schools and graduated from Waupaca High School in 1959. He graduated from Fox Valley Tech in 1961 as a certified cabinet maker. He used his talent working with Anderson Brothers Construction for almost 40 years. Barney served in the United States Army, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division as a radio operator. While in Viet Nam in 1965, his division was instrumental in opening the Loc Ninh Rail Spur, which had been closed since 1961. The Loc Ninh Rail Spur was the main rail line to and from Saigon. Barney received an honorable discharge on December 24, 1965 and arrived state side, January 16, 1966. Barney had a variety of interests throughout his life. He belonged to 2 bowling leagues and volunteered at Fox Valley Big Brothers. He was a 4-H leader for several years and was a life member of VFW Post 1037 in Waupaca. In 1972 Barney became a volunteer firefighter with the Waupaca Volunteer Fire Department. He was very proud and honored to be a part of the Department. After 33 years of serving, Barney retired on Jan. 1, 2005. Barney is survived by his sister: Joyce (Ron) Kalata, Neshkoro, WI; his brother: Arden (Dorothy) Bonnell, Waupaca, WI; sisters-in-law: Mae Bonnell, Appleton and Marge Bonnell, Omaha, NE; Special Niece: Leslie (Neil Manteufel) Bonnell, Waupaca, WI; his second family: Rachael (Orville) Pomerenke, Waupaca, WI; Becky (Frank) Lawrence, Oklahoma City, OK; Doreen (Chet) Papineau, Waupaca, WI; DuWain (Kathy) Bonnell, Waupaca, WI; Sara (Tim) Burr, Waupaca, WI. Also many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. He is also survived by his life long friend Tom (Helen) Halverson, Waupaca and special friends, George Anderson and family and Jim Anderson and family, of Waupaca. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Doreena. His soul mate, Kym. Brothers - Duwain (Dewey), LaVern, Kenneth, and Leon, also a nephew, a great nephew and a great great nephew and other family. Funeral Services will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 3rd, with Reverend Barry Hoerz, officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Park in Waupaca. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 until 8 PM at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, with a VFW Service at 6:00 PM. Visitation also on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
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