BUXTON- Bonnie Jean Schwartz passed away on June 27, 2017, at her home in Buxton, Maine. She was born December 20, 1923, in Champaign County, IL, the daughter of Bessie Streamer Endicott and William Arnold Harley Endicott. Bonnie grew up in Mt. Carmel, IL, graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in 1941, majoring in Business. She participated in many activities, including the Year Book Staff, Drum Majorette with the marching band, and Cheerleading. After graduation she worked in the business field for Faultless Castor Corporation in Evansville, IN, and the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, also in Evansville, after training to be an instructor. Dancing was her passion and that was where she met her future husband, Stanley Edgar Schwartz of Huntingburg, IN. Stan was instructed by his doctor to find something stress-relieving to do, after coming home from WWII. Bonnie married Stan on January 7, 1952. Their first daughter, Susan Elaine, arrived in November, 1952, and they eventually made their home in Huntingburg.
Bonnie continued working in the business field as a bookkeeper for John N. Martin,PA and also gave dance lessons locally. Her second daughter, Sherri Lynn, was born in November, 1958. She continued working for The Martin Group, as a Real Estate Property Manager, until retiring in August, 2004, at the age of 76. Bonnie was a member of Salem UCC. She was a member and past president of VFW Auxiliary #2366, and past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club in Huntingburg.
After her retirement, she spent time making great use of the Arnold Habig Center in Jasper, IN, participating in exercise therapy classes, bingo, and many other social activities. She was also a member of the Singing Seniors, who traveled to local nursing homes to bring smiles to other senior citizens. Bonnie was a lifelong bridge player, and she met others at the Habig Center who also loved to play. They played bridge on a regular basis.
In 2011, she moved to Maine, to live with her daughter and family. Despite her declining health, Bonnie tried to look at life with a positive attitude. She enjoyed nature, especially songbirds and flower gardens. She also loved animals and had a soft spot in her heart for all the dogs that were part of her life over the years. Bonnie enjoyed playing word games and cards, and she spent many hours doing puzzles.
Bonnie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Chet Bradbury of Buxton, ME; also granddaughter and her husband, Sarah and Andrew Ward; and great-granddaughters Alexis and Hannah Ward, also of Buxton, ME. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stan, in 1987 and her daughter Sherri, in 2002.
Private viewing arrangements will be held at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel in Buxton.
Funeral services for Bonnie will be held at Nass and Son in Huntingburg, with visitation from 6-8 pm on Friday, July 7th and 12-2 pm on Saturday July 8, followed by a celebration of her life at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery in Huntingburg.
The family wishes to express their deepest thanks and gratitude to her caregivers from VNA Home Health Hospice and to Barb from In Home Senior.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salem UCC music ministry.