Thursday, May 17, 2012

Bonnie JoAnn (Speck) Booker (May 16, 2012)

Bonnie JoAnn (Speck) Booker, 72, died of congestive heart failure in the early hours of Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Gade Health Center where she had been a resident for the past five and one-half years.

She was born in Chicago and moved with her parents, the late William and Neola (McAllister) Speck to Darke County’s Gettysburg in the late 1950’s where she was a graduate from Gettysburg high school. Her father was a well known sales manager for the Ex-Cell-O Corporation.

Among the survivors are her husband of nearly 54 years, William W. Booker, son Philip Anthony of Arcanum-Bears Mills Road and William Alan, an over the road driver. A third son, Jerold Andrew, died in April 1967. Also surviving is her sister Phyllis Gillis of Kingman, Arizona plus granddaughters Jessica of Colorado Springs, CO and Christina, Corey and Deborah of Warrenton, OR, plus two great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Booker was a member of several local organizations including the Beta Sigma Sorority, the St. Marys Altar Society and the old Greenville Art Guild Players where she met her husband to be. She appeared in several of that group’s stage productions and loved the theater. She had been employed as manager of the former Lord’s Store on S. Broadway as well as an employee at Ethel L. Booker Hats and Gowns. She had also been with the Greenville Fram Corporation.

A memorial service will be held by her immediate family at their convenience. Arrangements are being handled by Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio.

Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com