SUGAR CREEK, Mo. — Joe Bonine, the eldest son of Ira and Lillian E. (Burns) Bonine, was born in Ottawa on June 11, 1939. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Ottawa, gaining a strong lifelong work ethic. Joe worked at Ottawa’s Safeway Grocer while in high school and following high school, he served four years in the Pacific Submarine Fleet of the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor. 
Following his distinguished military tour of duty, he began a successful career with Kansas City Gas Service Co. Joe, a gifted mechanic, ran a small engine repair shop in his spare time. During his working years and in retirement Joe was an active supporter of the Sugar Creek, Missouri community; where he and his wife, Laurel Ann, spent their adult life. 
In addition to pitching in to help with community and church events, Joe often worked quietly behind the scenes to help those in need. Joe was a believer in the phrase “pay it forward,” and in an expression of gratitude for a donated kidney that gave him health for an additional 17 years, he was active in the Kansas City Area Kidney Transplant Support Group.
Joe and Laurel Ann loved their home and gardens, sharing garden produce and putting out feeders for deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, wild turkey and many other birds. Joe also enjoyed restoring and preserving some of the antique furniture and tools from the family farm with the hope that these beloved items will continue to be cherished by family.
Joe died in the early morning of July 11, 2017. His is survived by his wife of more than 54 years, Laurel Ann (Saxton) Bonine; a sister, Muriel; brother, Dan and half-sisters Jeanie Young and Bonnie Wilkins. 
A graveside service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, July 15, at Floral Hills Cemetery 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO. No visitation, The family suggests memorial donations to the Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 415 N. Sterling Ave., Sugar Creek, MO 64054; or St. Luke’s Hospice House, c/o St. Luke’s Foundation, 4225 Baltimore Ave., K.C., MO 64111-2304 or the Citizens Civic Relief Commission (Food Pantry etc.); Sugar Creek, MO, 64054

Funeral arrangements provided by
Newcomers Noland Road Chapel**
509 S Noland Rd. 
Independence, Mo. 64050
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 12, 2017