Joseph Bonner

Joseph A. Bonner, 82, of West Lafayette, died at his residence Saturday June 21, 2014 after a long bout with colon cancer. He was born in Lafayette, the son of the late Joseph Francis Bonner and Genevieve Loretta Scheetz Bonner. Joseph graduated from St. Lawrence School in Lafayette and from St. Francis Seminary, Mt. Healthy, Ohio. He received a BA degree from Duns Scotus College, Detroit, Michigan and an MS degree from Purdue University. Joseph served two years in the Navy and was a life member of Tin Can Sailors. He married Joann R. Sanders of Lafayette on May 12, 1962 and she survives. Mr. Bonner was a member of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in West Lafayette and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lafayette Bank & Trust Company where he was employed from 1969 until his retirement in January 1997. Mr. Bonner remained a Director and Chairman until April 2002. He was Chairman of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, was the President of the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation, the Lafayette Redevelopment Authority, Friendship House, Inc., the Lafayette Area Catholic Schools Foundation, Inc., and the Tippecanoe County Public Library Foundation, Inc. Mr. Bonner served as board member and officer of other community and Catholic Organizations and was Planned Giving Director of the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana for six years after his retirement from Lafayette Bank and Trust Company. He was a former member of St. Lawrence Church, B.P.O.E. #143, Rotary Club of Lafayette, John Purdue Club, President's Council and a life member of the Purdue Alumni Association. Mr. Bonner was named a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1996. He also received the Purdue Alumni Citizenship Award and the Marquis de Lafayette award. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, a daughter Maureen Regan (husband Terry) of Ft. Wright, Kentucky; two sons, Gregory Bonner (wife Jeri) of Brookston, IN. and Timothy Bonner of Lafayette; four grandchildren, Gary Bonner, (wife Kimberly), Hannah Regan, Samantha and Elizabeth Bonner, and a great-grandson, Sylas J. Bonner. He is also survived by one sister, Margaret M. Antonetti (husband Mario) of West Lafayette. He was preceded in death by a son Daniel Eugene Bonner. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 PM Friday with visitation at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 2224 Sacramento Dr., West Lafayette, IN. from 4 until 7 PM Friday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament 10 AM Saturday, Bishop Emeritus William L. Higi and Fr. David Buckles officiating, with interment in St. Boniface Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lafayette Area Catholic Schools Foundation, 2410 South 9th St., Lafayette, IN. 47909; the Lafayette Diocesan Foundation, PO Box 1687, Lafayette, IN. 47902-1687; St. Lawrence Church, 1916 Meharry St., Lafayette, IN. 47904, the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 2224 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette, IN. 47906 or St. Elizabeth Hospice. Hahn-Groeber Funeral & Cremation Services is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com