GREAT HONOR PAID MEMORY OF MR. BONNER
IMMENSE CROWD ATTENDS LAST RITES IN CHURCH
MANY BANKERS HERE
Services in Presbyterian Church Impressive – Numerous Floral Offerings
The funeral services held in the Presbyterian church yesterday afternoon for Walter W. Bonner were a fitting tribute to a man who had been so prominent in the history of the city and county.
A short funeral service was held in the home, Dr. J.R. Bardelmeier reading the 23rd Psalm and the Rev. J.H. McCann offering the prayer.
The church auditorium was packed, many standing at the rear, in the vestibule and along the walls. Extra chairs were used in the front of the church to accommodate those who desired to pay tribute to this great and good man. Many could not get inside the church and stood in the street during the service.
Beautiful floral pieces stretched almost from wall to wall at the rear of the pulpit. It took seven floral cars to transport them to South Park. Mrs. L.M. Sanders had charge of the flower committee of women and Robert Woodfill was in charge of the ushers. In the home at 214 West Washington street, Mrs. Jessie Serff, Mrs. W.A. McCoy and Mrs. R.R. Hamilton received the friends who came previous to the funeral.
BANKERS CALL IN BODY
At 1:30 p.m. the officers and employes of the local banks and the visiting bankers marched from the church to the home to pay their respects to their friend and brother.
The funeral cortege arrived at the church at 2 o'clock. The pall bearers were J.H. Christian, Will C. Woodfill, Dan S. Perry, Morgan L. Miers, S.a. Bouner, G.G. Welsh, R.R. Hamilton, Joseph S. Moss. The employes in the Third National bank were the flower committee.
The Rev. J.R. Bardelmeier, pastor of the church, had charge of the services and seated with him in the pulpit were the Rev. Charles W. Whitman, Rev. J.H. Morton and Rev. J.H. McCann. There was no music except the soft mellow strains from the pipe organ where Mrs. Kendall presided. Rev. Whitman read "Lead Kindly Light," after which Dr. Bardelmeier read from John 14 and the 23rd Psalm. Then Rev. Morton read "Abide with Me."
Dr. Bardelmeier chose First Samuel 25:1 as his text. "And Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah." He prefaced his sermon by saying that people do not want to go to funerals, and yet when the time comes they go. We can't explain why. But they just go.
FRIENDS PROVE THE VIRTUES
Taking the life of Samuel as a leader among men three thousand years ago and how all Israel assembled to do him honor at his funeral the speaker drew the analogy to apply to Mr. Bonner and this community. "This audience speaks more eloquently of the virtues of this man than any words of eulogy I might utter," he went on to say. He spoke of him as a citizen having a part in every movement in Decatur county for 45 years and said, "You can not write the history of Decatur county without mentioning his name." And then he read, "Let Me Live by the Side of the Road and Be a Friend to Man" which seemed to fit the occasion so well. Walter Bonner was a friend to man as was attested by the great crowd of people who were there to honor his memory.
The burial in South Park cemetery was made in a beautiful setting amid heaps of flowers which were made more beautiful by the sunshine.
Relatives from a distance who attended were: Mr. and Mrs. Homer Meek and daughters, Mary Lois and Jean; Ed R. Donnell and son, Cliff E. Donnell and Bert Morgan of Indianapolis; Mrs. Helen Baker Lumbers, Toronto, Canada; Dr. and Mrs. John Wampler, Mrs. Minnie Dochant and son, Fred, of Richmond; Mrs. Gertie Bonner, of Chicago; Rev. Frank C. Hood, of Franklin and Frank Donnell, of Evansville.
Bankers from all over southeastern Indiana were here to show their respect to one whom they had known so long and so well, as Mr. Bonner was a past president of both the state association and Group Six. It was not possible to get the names of all the visiting bankers, but Rushville, Shelbyville, Columbus, Seymour and Brookville were especially well represented. W.P. Kennedy, of Liberty, who began banking at Hope the same year that Mr. Bonner began here, was among those present.
RESOLUTION
Passed by the Board of Directors of the Union Trust company, Greensburg, Indiana, at Their Regular Meeting Held January 11, 1928.
Walter W. Bonner was born in Decatur county, July 30, 1860, and died suddenly from a heart attack Monday morning, Jan. 9, while at work at his duties as cashier of the Third National Bank Mr. Bonner was the dean of the active bankers of this community, having been cashier of the Third National Bank for forty-three years. He was not only a highly respected banker but he proved his usefulness in all walks of life. As a leader in banking circles he served one term as president of the Indiana Bankers' Association, and in this community he took front rank in business, civic and social affairs. He commanded attention at all times and was respected alike by all classes of citizens. His untimely death removes from our midst a leading and useful citizen. This community has lost one of its most ardent supporters and his family has lost a devoted and faithful husband and father. Therefore, be it resolved by the directors of the Union Trust company, now in regular session, that we deplore and regret the passing of Walter W. Bonner and we extend to his family our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of their greatest bereavement. That the secretary-treasurer enter this resolution upon the record of our proceedings and furnish a copy thereof to the family.
G.G. Welsh
Secretary-Treasurer
