Bonnie South

Bonnie Ruth (Welch) South, 99, of Norris City, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the Shelbyville Manor in Shelbyville, Illinois. Born in the Union Community near Norris City on October 26, 1914, the daughter of James Carey and Artie (Bolerjack) Welch, she married her high school sweetheart, Cooper South, on September 15, 1935.

Bonnie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and later the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Norris City; a 50+ year member of the May Chapter #783 Order of Eastern Star and a past Worthy Matron; a member of the NCOE Alumni Association; and the last surviving member of the class of 1933. She was a housewife and worked as a retail sales clerk at the Ben Franklin and Shoppers Center in Norris City. Bonnie enjoyed her friends, crocheting, quilting, and various community events. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Bonnie is survived by four children: Richard, Big Bear Lake, CA; Barbara (Fred) Doerner, Shelbyville, IL; Gary (Libbie), Rochester, IL; and Charles (Ellen), Lancaster, OH. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Valerie Eve Nottingham, Stacey Govito, and Sara Rachel Bruenning; one step-grandson Myron Lee Mendenhall; four great-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Cooper on September 3, 2012; one sister, Inez Welch Smith; and four brothers, Jewel, Ivan, Glen, and Eldred Welch.

Funeral Services for Bonnie Ruth Welch South, 99, of Norris City will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City with Joe Skaggs officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery in Norris City. Friends may call at Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made in Bonnie's name to May Chapter #783 Order of Eastern Star or the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Norris City.