Joseph Donald “Don” Bonin, age 86, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Monday morning, May 17, 2021 at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center, Manitowoc.
Don was born on April 3, 1935 in Manitowoc, son of the late Anton and Priscilla (Klar) Bonin. He attended St. Paul Elementary School and was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School with the class of 1953. Don served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958. On May 16, 1964 he married the former Janet Kirch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manitowoc. He began his employment with Kelvinator and later worked for Anheuser-Busch until his retirement in 1998. Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 710 of Manitowoc. He coached sports for many years and enjoyed playing dartball, bowling, golf and softball (both slowpitch and fastpitch). Don was an avid hunter and enjoyed all Wisconsin sports, especially the Green Bay Packers. He volunteered with St. Francis of Assisi Parish and was a church server as well. Don enjoyed playing sheepshead, his Friday night friend group and scratch off lottery tickets.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years: Janet Bonin, Manitowoc; their three children: Mark (Veronica) Bonin, Sheboygan, and their children: Jacob, Brynn and Elyse, Kathryn (Michael) Jagemann, Francis Creek, and their children: Emily, Erin, Evan, Ethan and Ellie, and Michael (Lori) Bonin, Manitowoc, and their children: Tyler and Matthew; two siblings: Richard “Sonny” Bonin, Manitowoc, and Judy Wind, Manitowoc; three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Bonin, Bonnie Bonin and Arlene Kirch. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by seven siblings: Bernice (Donald) Allie, Hildegard (Ralph) Sieracki, Violet (Art) Edinger, Charlotte (Richard) Sobel, James Bonin, Mary Ellen Bonin, and Tom Bonin; his mother-in-law and father-in-law: Catherine and Edward Kirch; and one brother-in-law: John Kirch.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Friday, May 21, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo (1121 N. 14th Street), Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Doug LeCaptain with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #88.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday evening, May 20, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. led by Deacon Alan Boeldt. The visitation will continue Friday morning at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, Manitowoc, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis of Assisi or Roncalli Catholic Schools.
The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, Shady Lane Nursing Care Center, and Holy Family Memorial for all the care and compassion shown to Don and his family.
