Howard D. Bonnell

Staff
Posted 9/21/21

AMBOY - Howard Duane Bonnell, 74, of Amboy, passed away Sept. 17, 2021 at his winter home in Benton, Ky.

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Howard D. Bonnell

Posted

AMBOY - Howard Duane Bonnell, 74, of Amboy, passed away Sept. 17, 2021 at his winter home in Benton, Ky.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Woodside Cemetery in Lee Center.

Howard was born Aug. 14, 1947 in Amboy to Leo and Wandalee (Myers) Bonnell. He married Elaine Herwig on Sept. 9, 1967 in Dixon.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Bonnell of Amboy; three children, Michael (Christine Dewey) Bonnell of Amboy, Dion Bonnell of Carson, Wash. and Angela Schrock of Harmon; 11 grandchildren, Tylor Bonnell, Keaston Bonnell, Nathan Schrock, Jace Bonnell, Braedon Bonnell, Collin Schrock, Garrett Bonnell, Mason Bonnell, Tanner Schrock, Nicholas Dewey and Lindsay Dewey; one great-grandchild, Miayah Dempsey; two brothers, Leslie (Karen) Bonnell of Steward and Alvin (Sheryll) Bonnell of Jefferson, Wis.; one sister-in-law, Christine Bonnell of Troy Grove; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Lowell Bonnell and Arlene Jacobs.

Howard’s strong work ethics started at a young age. When he was in 7th grade, he was chosen by his principal to clean and maintain the Lee Center School at the end of each day. Following his service in the military, he worked for the State of Illinois as a civil engineer. He then worked as a maintenance director for Amboy and Dixon School Districts and retired in maintenance at the Dixon YMCA. He was also an entrepreneur who owned and operated many companies throughout his lifetime.

Howard served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He received a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. He ended his military career as a major in the Army Reserves. He was a member of the Elks and VFW. He enjoyed traveling and camping all over the United States. He was an avid gun enthusiast and a member of the NRA. Most of all he enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Wounded Warriors.

Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.