GREENFIELD
Richard “Dick” Bonne, Jr., 87, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Hancock Regional Hospital. He was born September 27, 1935, in Noblesville, a son of the late Richard and Madeleine (VanHooren) Bonne.
Dick was born of hard-working Belgian immigrant parents. His boyhood on the family farm instilled in Dick a strong work ethic and a love for the outdoors. He hunted, trapped and fished after school and when the chores were done. Dick was active in the Boy Scouts, 4H, and FFA. He was an avid member of the Old Fashioned Coon Hunters Club, and raised, hunted, and competed with his Treeing Walker Hounds. Dick and his renowned dog, Blue River Rebel, hunted and competed far and wide for many years. A graduate of Noblesville High School, Dick went on to attend the Short Course in Agriculture at Purdue University, igniting a lifelong love of all things Boilermaker.
After a short stint in farming, Dick pivoted to building and construction. Dick Bonne Masonry developed the traditional style of native stone veneers, landscaping walls, and fireplaces now found throughout Central Indiana. His beautiful hand cut stone walls grace the architecture of a generation of Hoosier buildings. Later, Dick Bonne Homes constructed hundreds of custom award-winning homes throughout the region. He was a member of The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis.
Dick Bonne was an outstanding role model for family and community in every aspect of his life. He passed on his passion for the outdoors to his family, as well as his positive outlooks in life. He taught the Ergon Adult Sunday School Class at the old Fletcher United Methodist Church in Carthage for 45 years. He gave many a young person a start in the construction business as his employees and subcontractors. He authored and self-published a “how-to” book on Florida fishing, (often giving one away to a stranger on some Florida pier). Dick and his wife Carolyn made many trips to Florida to golf, fish, and enjoy the weather with family and friends.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of over 59 years, Carolyn Bonne, of Greenfield; three children, Michael Bonne of Florida, David (Crystal) Bonne of Carthage, and Charmi Bundy of Monticello, Indiana; six grandchildren, Jacob (partner Adam) Bonne, Emily Piper, Crystal “Mahala” Bonne, Andrew Bonne, Nathan (Adria) Bundy, Corbin (Tonya Boots) Bundy, two great grandchildren, Elleanor “Elley” and Elaina; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Orahood and Madeleine McGinnis; his daughter-in-law, Teresa Bonne, and his former wife, Eleanor Dyer.
Services will be at 11 AM Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Hinsey Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel, with Reverend Roger Campbell and Reverend David Bonne officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Ridge cemetery near Carthage. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation, at parkinson.org. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com.
