Bonnie Marshall

Every once in a while, one encounters an individual whose life was filled with so much love and joy that it is evident this person lived a life that was truly blessed. Bonnie Marshall was one of these people. She spent many years giving and receiving love. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Bonnie lived her life with an open heart and a giving spirit.

The 1930s are a notoriously frightening time in United States’ history with the stock market crash causing many to face hard economic times. Yet, with Herbert Hoover in the White House, Babe Ruth wowing the world on the baseball field, and Mickey Mouse making his debut in comic strips, it was also a time of new beginnings. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Charles and Elizabeth (Kudalka) Campbell were preparing their home for the beginning of a new life. On September 13, 1930, the couple welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter, Bonnie Jean.

Bonnie was the fifth of six children: Marjorie, Lorraine, Donald, MaryLou, Bonnie and Richard. Along with her siblings, Bonnie grew up in a loving home at 1232 Lafayette NE in Grand Rapids. Her mother was a wonderful homemaker, while her father supported their family as a factory worker at Haskolite Industries. Bonnie received her education in the area schools, which included Palmer Elementary and Creston High School. Like many young girls of this time, she left school after the 10th grade to help support her family, working at the downtown dime store called H.L. Greens. Later in life, Bonnie went back to school and earned her GED.

Bonnie was in her late teens when she met her future husband, Amos Marshall. It happened that Amos’ brother, George, was dating one of Bonnie’s friends and they met at his house one day. As fate would have it, Bonnie and Amos fell hopelessly in love and were happily married at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on October 14, 1950. After a simple, yet romantic honeymoon at a local hotel, the newlyweds settled into married life together living with Bonnie’s mother for a year. They then endured apartment living for a few years before buying their first home at 1447 Parkhurst NW in 1958. Five years later, the couple moved to Northrup Street NW, and it was here they would raise their four beautiful daughters: Becky (September 15, 1951), Luanne (October 22, 1953), Sally (August 27, 1958), and Marilu (May 23, 1963).

Though Bonnie worked for a couple area dry cleaners after her kids were in school, her main occupation for many years was taking care of her family. She loved being a mother, and took great joy in raising her daughters. Bonnie took an active role in every phase of her girls’ lives and activities, including supporting Marilu and Sally at their horse shows. She and Amos also took their family to Home Acres Bible Church for many years. Meanwhile, Amos worked to support their family at Eberhards Store, Johnson Furniture Co. and later at AMI Industries, where he eventually retired.

Time together as a family was always important to Bonnie and Amos, and in 1987 they bought a cottage on Harvard Lake in Kent County, where they shared many happy years together, and created innumerable cherished memories. Usually, Bonnie spent the entire summer at the cottage with the girls, and in later years she was able to share this special time with her grandkids, extended family and friends. Besides keeping company with her loved ones, Bonnie loved to go fishing on the lake in their boat. At home, Bonnie kept busy taking ceramic and macramé classes, as well as country painting. It seemed she was always in the kitchen cooking up one of her fabulous dishes, including her goulash, roast beef dinner, Swiss steak, potatoes and, of course, her sweet desserts. No one left Bonnie’s house hungry! When it came to her listening pleasure, Bonnie enjoyed music by the Gaithers, Ray Charles, Kate Smith, Mahalia Jackson and Perry Como, and when the TV was on, it was usually tuned to one of her favorite shows, MASH, Becker, Lawrence Welk, Keeping up Appearances (a British comedy) or the Antiques Roadshow. Bonnie also loved watching sports of all kinds, and had her eye on Tiger Woods when he was golfing.

What gave Bonnie the greatest joy, however, was spending time with her precious grandchildren, and great grandson, whom she adored. She always enjoyed seeing great grandson Quentin in one of his superhero outfits. Like her own kids, Bonnie rarely missed one of her grandkids’ school or sports events, and she never missed a chance to give them her special hugs and kisses too. Bonnie was a natural with kids though. Over the years, she babysat many of the kids from the neighborhood and of friends. Bonnie always indulged in the opportunity to share her love with children.

About 4 years ago Bonnie had her carotid artery scraped due to a blockage, and it was later determined that the other side needed to be done too. She had that procedure done on July 9th of this year, but unfortunately Bonnie never fully recovered and continued to experience health problems. Two weeks ago, she returned to the hospital for a time and was admitted to Covenant Village of the Great Lakes last Friday for physical therapy. Sadly, her health diminished quickly and her family was called to her side on Thursday evening. Bonnie passed away in the wee hours of the morning on Friday, August 14, 2009, at the age of 78.

Bonnie was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Bonnie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Amos Marshall; her children, Becky (Donald) Bennett, Luanne Anderson, Sally (Richard) Cryderman, Marilu (Gordon) Hart; her grandchildren: Andrew Maddox, Ayme Anderson, Aubree Anderson, Lucus (Tina) Cryderman, Jenna Cryderman, Nicole Wysocki, Stacey Hart; her great grandson, Quentin Stoner; her sister-in-law, Carol Campbell; nieces, nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday morning, August 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Burial will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends can meet her family at the funeral home on Sunday, August 16, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Please visit Bonnie’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.