Bonieta Lou (Herr) Babb

Bonieta "Bonnie" Lou (Herr) Babb joined Heaven's choir on Sunday, October 2, 2016 after an extended stay at Community Northview.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved her family and friends.

Bonnie was born January 16, 1934, at home on the family farm near Lakeville, IN, to Elmer Herr and Cleo (Grenert) Herr.

At the age of 10, and shortly after the death of her mother, Bonnie and her family moved to South Bend and graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School in 1954.

After High School, Bonnie answered an ad to spend the summer in Finland working on a chicken farm teaching conversational English to the owners. The following fall, she was asked to teach English clubs in the elementary schools as well as teach private lessons to business professionals. Before returning home to the U.S., she spent her free time traveling throughout Europe including an Easter tour to Moscow, Russia.

Bonnie enjoyed traveling and family vacations. She traveled extensively in the U. S., Canada, Mexico and made several trips to Europe. Bonnie never knew a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. She loved people.

After her time in Finland, Bonnie returned to Anderson College to complete her degree in Elementary Education. She taught for 11 years at Leach Elementary and later was a substitute teacher for Anderson Community Schools, spending most of that time at Valley Grove.

Bonnie married the love of her life, Harold "Gene" Babb on November 21, 1964 at East Side Church of God. They had two sons, Eric and Larry.

She was a member of East Side Church of God where she taught Sunday school and participated in several Bible study groups. Bonnie loved to sing and sang in the East Side choir for almost fifty years as well as being a member of the Community Choir and singing with the Guide-Dels. She belonged to the Red Hats, Madison County Home Ec Club "Sparklers" and Lambert's House of Music where she took organ lessons.

She is survived by her husband; sons, Eric (Sherry) of Pendleton and Larry of Nashville, TN; step-children, Sherry Lynn Babb of New York, NY and Jeff Babb of Pendleton, grandchildren, Logan and Kyle Babb, Jason (Maria) and Jeremy Babb, Emily Babb; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Kailyn and Colson Babb; brother, Don Herr of South Bend, IN along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Gleora Taylor, Lela Whitmer and Maryetta Stump.

Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Pastor Mary Ann Randolph of East Side Church of God officiating with burial in East Maplewood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the funeral home.

Donations may be given to East Side Church of God.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Community Northview and Hospice for the outstanding care she received.

Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com

Published in The Star Press on Oct. 6, 2016