Betty May Bonk was born October 31, 1925 in Afton, New York and departed this life on December 16, 2013 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, Missouri at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 15 days. She was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison and Ellen (Van Dusen) Shapley.
Mrs. Bonk spent her younger years in the Binghamton, New York area where she graduated from high school and attended college. In 1944, Mrs. Bonk moved to California and on May 17, 1958, she was united in marriage with John Paul Bonk, they made their home in Orange, California. Mrs. Bonk was a bookkeeper, working primarily in the communication industry, retiring in 1994. In 1996, the Bonk family moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri and in 1999 they moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri to make their home. Mrs. Bonk was a kind, loving and benevolent woman, her whole life revolved around her church. No matter to which Parish Mrs. Bonk belonged, she was very dedicated and involved with the church activities, and was proud of being a Eucharistic Minister. She also enjoyed attending various dinner theaters throughout the years.
Mrs. Bonk was a member of St. Matthew Apostle Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Ellen Shapley; one son, John Fitzgerald Bonk and three brothers, Irving, Francis and Victor Shapley.
Mrs. Bonk is survived by her husband John Paul Bonk of the home; two sons, Kenneth Victor Shapley of Westminister, California and Paul Winston Bonk of Laguna Niguel, California; four daughters, Balencia Maria Erskine of Anaheim, California, Maria Luz West of Venita, Oregon, Denia Loris Fields and husband Gene of Jefferson City, Missouri and Peggy Lynne Bonk of the home; one sister, Arlene Clarke of Kalispel, Montana; 12 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 at St. Matthew Apostle Catholic Church with Father Adam Johnson and Father Jim Toronto officiating. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memorial Park, Grain Valley, Missouri. Friends may pay their respects to the family from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday prior to the service at the church.
In memory of Betty M. Bonk, the family suggests contributions to St. Matthew Apostle Catholic Church, 8001 Longview Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64134 or Priest for Life, P.O. Box 141172, Staten Island, New York 10314
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