Leila LaVonne “Bonnie” Mentzer, 84, of Assumption, died at 8:50 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, in her daughter’s home.
Born Jan. 20, 1926, in Chicago to Lester Edmond and Lela Florinda (Norene) Rehbein, she married Robert Lyle “Bob” Mentzer on Sept. 8, 1946, in Chillicothe. He died March 23, 1999.
Also preceding her in death were an infant twin brother, Lester LaVerne Rehbein, one daughter, Carol LaVonne Throneburg in 2005, and one son-in-law, John Paul Burrus in 1991.
Surviving are two daughters, Sandra Burrus of Madison, Wis., and Mary Bohner of Elgin; one son, John (Laura) Mentzer of Assumption, one son-in-law Ronald Throneburg of Assumption, one brother-in-law, Richard Lynn Mentzer of Micco, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1941.
She attended the University of Illinois, where she met her husband, and later graduated from Millikin University with a degree in education.
They started their lives together in Savoy and later started farming near Arthur, then Penfield, before moving to Assumption in 1956.
She was a member of the Assumption First United Methodist Church, Christian County Lady Landowners, and Shelby County Farm Bureau.
Services were Friday in the Assumption First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Compton officiating. Visitation was Thursday at Seitz Funeral Home in Assumption and before services Friday at the church. Burial was in Bethany Cemetery in rural Assumption.
Memorials may be made to the Assumption First United Methodist Church or the Assumption Public Library.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com.
