Donald Bonnell

Donald James Bonnell passed away at the Milford Nursing Center on June 6, 2008. Don was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on July 14, 1920 to Gladys Murphy Bonnell and Harry C. Bonnell. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School, Fort Dodge High School, and Fort Dodge Junior College, as it was known then. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was assigned as a tail gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress based in England, making twenty-one missions over Germany. After two years in service to his country in World War II, he attended the University of Iowa on the G.I. Bill, graduating from there with a major in Psychology, followed by two years of post graduate study. In 1952, Don was awarded a Civil Service appointment in the ATF Department of the U.S. Treasury. He served in the Sioux City, Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. offices, from which he retired in 1976 and then moved back to the Iowa Great Lakes Region. Don was united in marriage to Alice Marie Hood of Mallard, Iowa on October 25, 1952. Don was a music lover, avid reader, skilled carpenter, and a witty and entertaining conversationalist. Don played cornet in the Fort Dodge High School Marching Band and in Fort Dodge Junior College. He also sang in St. Mary's Church Choir for many years. Don is survived by his wife, Alice, of 55 years, his son, Robert J. of Spirit Lake and his daughter, Ann Marie Nalley and Greg of West Branch, Iowa, three granddaughters - Colleen McClain of Austin, Texas, Laura Gerdes of Seattle, Wash. and Josh, Katherine McClain of Des Moines, Iowa, a great granddaughter, Madeline McClain of Austin, Texas, a great grandson, Jack Elliott Gerdes, two step grandchildren, Adam and Derek Nalley, and a sister-in-law, Sally Bonnell of Wilmington, N.C. He was preceded in death by his parents and an only sibling, Robert E. Bonnell. Don was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.