Oct. 20, 1922 — Dec. 25, 2015

Bonnie J. Shue, 93 of Dowagiac passed peacefully into God’s arms on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, at the Cass County Medical Care Facility.

Bonnie would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call, a sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus and a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long while. Job security is exactly 100 percent. Bonnie’s new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, dancing, baking, dining and shopping to her heart’s content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed. Food is delicious and you never gain an ounce. She left detailed instructions for her children and grandchildren to celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed. Low adherence to this instruction will not be tolerated.

We invite you to come Celebrate Her Life on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe Street in Dowagiac with Father Kevin Covert of Sacred Heart of Mary/Holy Maternity of Mary Church officiating. Family and friends will gather to remember her life on Friday evening, Jan. 1, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac. Bonnie will be laid to rest next to her husband, Harold, at the National Cemetery in Ft. Custer, Battle Creek. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac or the Cass County Medical Care Facility. Those wishing to share a memory or leave a condolence of Bonnie online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Bonnie’s life began on October 20, 1922 in Frankfort, Indiana. She was born to Marion and Veda (Camp) Lough. Bonnie’s childhood began with many challenges, weighing less than 2 pounds at birth and small enough to be carried around in a shoe box right after birth. Her father was killed in a fire in their home before she was two years old. She moved with her mother to Lebanon, Indiana at the age of seven. She attended Lebanon High School and graduated in 1940. She attended many school reunions even up to the age of ninety one, with only a few classmates left to celebrate.

At the age of 16, Bonnie met a young man from Advance, Indiana by the name of Harold Irvin Shue. He would often walk about five miles into the town of Lebanon to see her. They were later married on December 23, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky near where he was stationed in the Army. Bonnie traveled with her husband on several military tours and finally to Germany shortly after World War II. The highlight of her stay in Germany was when she traveled to the Vatican in Rome and was granted a semi-private audience with Pope Pius XII in 1950. They spent two more three-year tours in Germany traveling extensively throughout Europe, attending the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium. In 1959, Bonnie came to Dowagiac with her husband and two children. Bonnie’s husband, Harold, was assigned the Advisor position at the National Guard Armory in Dowagiac, where he retired from the Army in 1963. He passed away in September of 1991 after over 50 years of marriage to Bonnie.

Bonnie worked in Dowagiac several years as a dental assistant for Dr. Athens and later for Dr. George Schuster and also as Hospital Hostess for Lee Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed her work helping people and making many friends in the area. She became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac in 1959, member of the Martha Women’s Circle, a life member of the Order of Eastern Star and was a past member of the Antlerettes of the Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889. After retiring, Bonnie and her husband enjoyed traveling the USA after many years of hard work.

Bonnie is survived by a daughter, Sherry (Bill) Johnson of Waukesha, Wisconsin; a son, Hal (Eileen) Shue of Niles; her grandchildren: Mark (Casey) Smith, David (Shelly) Smith of Dowagiac, Kristi (Greg) Ender of Waukesha, Wisconsin, USAF SSgt Christopher (Lauren Ertz) Shue of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Lacey Shue of Niles and step-grandson Teddy Wallace of Chicago, and step-grand daughter Jennifer (Rodney) Glenn of Niles; 10 Great grandchildren: Lindsey & Tori Smith, Nicky & Nattalee Smith, Zachary Shue, Mya & Tyler Ender, Devon Moore, Torence Witherspoon and Jerod Glenn and 3 great, great grandchildren Kaleb & Harper Smith and Eislee Moore. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband in 1991.

Bonnie’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who cared for her at St. Joseph Regional Hospital in Mishawaka as well as the caring staff at the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis.

We want to let you know that Bonnie did a great job here and we wish her a safe journey. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her sweetness, her energy, her love for life, family and friends, but also her concern for others and the unconditional love for all she met. She worked very hard all her life, up until the very end. She made a difference in the lives of all she met.