Bonnie Lou (Edwards) Bolitho

Bonnie (Edwards) Bolitho, 94, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 surrounded by her family at Elkhart General Hospital.

Bonnie was born June 16, 1927, in Ypsilanti, MI to the late Calita and Marian (Biddle) Edwards.  She grew up in Detroit and graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1945.  After High School Bonnie worked for a couple of years as a clerk at Sears, Hudsons and Cunningham Drug store.  She then enrolled at Wayne State University working summers as a tour guide at Greenfield Village.  She loved showing groups through the historic buildings, workshops, and beautiful grounds.  Bonnie graduated from Wayne State with a Fine Arts degree in 1952.

At Wayne State, Bonnie met Albert G. Bolitho of Farmington, MI.  They were married on Oct 7, 1952 in Detroit MI.  Al immediately left for the Korean War but before shipping out of Tokyo, he was recruited to be the organist/choir director for the Military chapel.  Bonnie was allowed to join him in Tokyo and so their first home was an apartment in Japan.

After returning to the states the couple would eventually settle in Albion, Michigan where Bonnie and Al raised their three children.  Bonnie did a little art teaching but was a homemaker most of her life and proud of it.  She said the three highlights of her life were achieving her Fine Arts Degree, getting married and raising her children.  Bonnie had many hobbies including drawing, sewing, needlepoint, reading and singing in Al’s choirs.  She also was president of the women’s social club and the Faculty Women’s League at Albion College and helped in the kitchen at her church.  She and her husband Al traveled extensively to Japan, England, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey and Italy.  She and Al were married 69 years and loved each other and their family every day.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Dr. Albert Bolitho, her son, Dean Bolitho of Frederic, MI and her daughter, Rev. Dr. Sally (Mike) Wicks of Elkhart.   Also surviving are four grandchildren: Julie Ela Grace, Stephen (Elizabeth) Wicks, Rev. Austin (Alicia) Wicks and Terrence Wicks and two great grandchildren, Charlotte Hanson and Samuel Wicks.   Preceding her in death was a son, Todd Bolitho.

A memorial service for Bonnie will be held on Saturday, January 29 at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church, 145 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017.  The Rev. Mike Wicks, son-in-law to Bonnie will officiate and burial will be in the Macon Cemetery in Macon, MI.  The family kindly requests that masks be worn by those attending services. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bonnie may be made to a charity of your choice.

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