Charles W. Bonner, of Porter, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in Portage. He was 86.

He was born Sept. 1, 1921 the son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Waugh) Bonner, both of whom preceded him in death.

On June 14, 1942 in Lake Station, he married Esther V. Harmon, who preceded him in death in 1991.

He is survived by daughters, Sandra (Luther) Williams of Valparaiso, Pat (Ed) Hewitt of Portage, and Lisa (Mark) Lynk of Chesterton; grandchildren, Beth Hewitt, Brent Hewitt, Leigh Ann (Ken) Kluge, Jennifer (Craig) Gall, Chuck (Nicole) Williams, Zachary Lynk and Zoe Lynk; and great grandchildren, Ashleigh Kluge, Tyler Gall, Kaitlin Gall, Jonathan Williams and Reagan Williams.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Christopher, Robert, William and Dale Bonner, and sister Jean Blanchard.

Charles worked as a carpenter before retiring in 1981. He was a 60 year member of the Carpenters Union Local 1005 and was the former owner of Supreme Construction Company. He was a former President of the Portage School Board, former Building Commissioner for the Town of Porter, a former Porter Town Board Member and a former Precinct Committee Member in Porter. Charles was a veteran of the US Army Air Corps, serving as a Captain during World War II. He received many decorations, including the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Charles was an accomplished story teller and took special interest in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services, Pastor Kurt Nichols officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 12, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at the funeral home. www.ee-fh.com

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Posted 5/9/2008