Bonnie’s Obituary Bonnie Faye Boethin 92 Date of Death 5/11/2019 Bonnie Faye Berry was born in Fairland Oklahoma January 10, 1927 to Fred & Molly Ann McClain Berry. The Great Depression of the 30’s was crushing in on the young family. They loaded up their model-T truck and moved to Arizona to homestead federal lands.
All they had to do was live on the land 9 months out of the year and clear the land of grease wood. Big ranchers from New Mexico and Texas grazed their longhorn cattle there. Momma and family became migrant workers in the San Fernando Valley when not on their homestead.
Her very first job was pulling potatoes out of the ground in Bakersfield, California when she was only 12 years old. Her remembrance of those times was one of richness and plenty. She had no idea they were living in the worst of times.
Life to her was an adventure. She grew up in California but after WWI Momma moved back to Oklahoma with daughter, Joan Louise Swafford, Fred & Molly and siblings Bob, Bill and Lou Ann and set up a farm near Grove Oklahoma on Honey Creek. Bonnie was known for her hospitality – she never turned anyone away who needed anything.
There was always room at her house for another person at the table or a quilt bed on the floor. She knew how to put on a spread at the dinner table. It was usually a 10 course meal.
She raised 3 children in Sand Springs, Oklahoma while married to Ralph L. Willhour. In 1968 she married Bill Boethin and moved to Oologah Oklahoma where she continued her awesome hospitality with new friends and family. She was known and loved by all who met her for her quick wit and willingness to participate in community endeavors.
She was an avid gardener and was known far and wide for her expertise in grafting pecan and fruit trees. Momma went to be with Jesus the day before Mother’s Day, May 11th 2019 sitting peacefully in her chair. She had pneumonia early in the spring but had recovered and was doing well.
She just decided to go on and join other family members in Heaven. LIFE Born 1/10/1927 Fairland, Oklahoma PARENTS Fred Berry & Molly Ann McClain Berry d. SIBLINGS Clara Virginia Berry Stern d. Dean Edward Berry d. Samuel Everett Berry d. Betty Lee Berry Durham d. James Harold Berry d. Frederick Eugene Berry d. Lou Ann Berry Murry, Grove Oklahoma Bob Berry, Tahlequah, Oklahoma William Donald Berry d. MARRIAGE Predeceased Fred William Boethin d. (11/9/2003) Married 6/18/1968 Predeceased Ralph L. Willhour d. (4/15/2001) Married March 6, 1946 – Divorced 1966 Melborne Harold Swafford Married 1942 In Reno Nevada & Divorced He is 95 years old. PLACES OF RESIDENCE Fairland, Oklahoma Rainbow Valley, Arizona Vallejo, California Grove, Oklahoma Sand Springs, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma Oologah, Oklahoma FAMILY Survived by Children Joan Louise Kenady (Patrick Kenady) Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Pamela Willhour Risto (Ronald F. Risto) Oologah, Oklahoma Patricia Willhour Kennedy (David G. Kennedy) Tulsa, Oklahoma Siblings Lou Ann Berry Murry, Grove Oklahoma Bob Berry, Tahlequah Oklahoma Grand Children Mark Stewart Dill (Patricia Dill), Oologah Oklahoma Mary Margaret Reiter (Terry Reiter) Anaheim, California China Noel Wendel (Tim Wendel) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Great Grand Children Skyler Dill (Molly Blair Dill) Logan Dill (April Michelle Dill) Adam Reiter Great-Great Grand Children Melody Dill Nieces & Nephews Phyllis Jean Sweitzer London Jimmy Sweitzer John Edward Berry Shirley Dean Berry Jerry Lee Berry Virginia Louise Berry Sondra Kay Berry Mark Lynn Berry Joe Keith Berry Gary Lee Berry Michael Lynn Berry Richard Wayne Pembroke (Judy Pembroke) Frederick John Pembroke (Linda Pembroke Kathy Jane Dunlay Steve Eugene Eakin Jeffrey Lynn Eakin Christopher James Berry Cynthia Lou Allison Frederick Allison Frankie Allison Christina Marie Murry Elgin Eric Murry Burl Robert Berry Brian Rodney Berry Holly Charrie Berry Griffin Cher Rene Berry Elisha Michelle White Keliana Don Berry Kimberly Ann Berry William Shane Berry James Shawn Berry and many more too numerous to mention here Cemetery Wann Cemetery, Oologah Oklahoma Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home, 1302 W Main, Collinsville, OK 74021 Viewing Tuesday, May 14th from 12pm to 8 pm.
Zion Hill Church, 11501 S. 4060 Road, Oologah, OK 74053 Memorial Service @ 1pm Wednesday, May 15th Pastor Daine Demaree Officiating. Grave Site Service immediately after at Memorial Service, GPS Coordinates: 36. 4449997, -95.
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