— Bonnie Jean Duffey Walters, beloved daughter, cherished wife, and devoted mother, passed away Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester.
She was born on a farm north of Lafontaine on June 12, 1919, to John Glenn Duffey and Kate Parker Duffey. Her parents and brothers, Charles Parker Duffey and Dick Duffey, preceded her in death.
A child of the depression, she graduated from Lafontaine High School in 1937 and attended Ball State Teachers College, receiving a teaching credential in 1939. Bonnie shared her knowledge, curiosity, patience and humor with students at Lincolnville, Lafontaine, Kewanna and Rochester schools during her career as an elementary teacher.
Bonnie married Russell D. Walters, at Lafontaine, on April 19, 1941. As the wife of a World War II Army officer, they lived in Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia, Florida, Georgia and Texas before she returned to Lafontaine when Russell was sent to the European theater. After the war, they lived in Lafontaine, Fulton, Kewanna, and Richland Center before returning to Wabash County. Russell preceded her in death in 1988.
She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Ann Walters, Lafontaine, and Betty Joan and husband, Mark Martens, Rochester; son, Charles Robert and wife, Connie Beck Walters, Indianapolis, and American Field Service son, Noel Lim and wife, Cathy Painter Lim, West Caldwell, N.J. A daughter, Nancy Jean Walters Kumler, preceded her in death in 1995 as did son-in-law, Richard Kumler in 2012. Other survivors include grandson, Robert Kumler and wife, Kim, and granddaughter, Andrea Kumler Benbow and husband, Kip, all of Lafontaine. In addition, grandchildren, Lt. Adam Walters, wife, Sarah, and son, Russell D. of San Diego, Calif., Patrick Walters, Indianapolis, Katie Martens, Bloomington, Sadie Martens, Indianapolis, Brendan Lim, New York City, and Ligaya Lim, West Caldwell, N.J.
Bonnie was active in every community in which she lived. She loved to play Bridge and was able to continue this activity at Peabody Retirement Center. She recently received her 75-year membership pin from the Order of Eastern Star and had served as Worthy Matron of the Lafontaine Chapter. She had also been an active member and was past president of Eta Mu Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority in Rochester as well as past president of Wabash County Retired Teachers Association. She has been a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in the many communities in which she lived. She will be mourned by her family and friends, but remembered for a life well lived.
Friends may call from 2 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home, Lafontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., Lafontaine, IN 46940, with Eastern Star services beginning at 7:30 p.m. Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home, Lafontaine Chapel, with the Rev. Brad Garrett officiating. Burial will follow at the Lafontaine IOOF Cemetery, Lafontaine.
Memorials may be made to the Nancy and Dick Kumler Scholarship Fund, Lafontaine Masonic Lodge, or the Wabash County Historical Museum in Wabash.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com.
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