Eldora L. Bonges
Eldora “Dorie” Louise (Schini) Bonges of Francesville, lived a full century and passed away on Jan. 2, at the age of 100 years old.
Eldora was born on Jan. 9, 1925, in their farm home in Remington, to George and Regina (Zimmerman) Schini. She was the tenth child of eleven children. She came from a strong family heritage. Eldora was from the World War II Generation. Her brother, Sergeant Walter E. Schini, was killed in action in a battle in Germany on Nov. 17, 1944, at the age of 24. Eldora always valued the ultimate sacrifice her brother and so many others made to preserve our country’s freedom.
Eldora graduated from Gilboa High School in rural Benton County in 1943. She worked at Gutwein Milling Company in Francesville and Von Tobel Lumber Company in Remington before going to nursing school.
Her lifelong dreams were always to become a missionary and a nurse. In 1952, Eldora graduated from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette. She worked at the Rankin Children’s Home in Rankin, Illinois. While working at the children’s home, she met Henry and his children. Eldora married Henry “Hank” August Bonges Jr. on June 1, 1963, in Buckley, Illinois.
Eldora had special memories of her childhood and other life experiences. She wished to capture these memories and put them in a book. Her dream came true, and she became the author of her book, Lifetime Memories of Eldora Louise (Schini) Bonges. Please refer to this link to read her book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10eZwELSRSMx73qoexDr5DaIqCRhMPNvg/view?u...
Eldora was very close to her ten brothers and sisters. Since she became a registered nurse, she was blessed with the opportunity and privilege to help care for her mother and seven of her brothers and sisters at the end of their lives.
She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. Eldora lived a life that reflected her faith in Jesus Christ. Her heartfelt desire was for everyone to trust and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 KJV)
Eldora was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a special sister and aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, and great-great-great-aunt. Her life touched many, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by son Dale “Kevin” Bonges, Newburgh; son and daughter-in-law: Henry August (Margaret “Mickey”) Bonges III, Milton, Vermont; son-in-law Dana Lewie, Gahanna, Ohio; granddaughters: Jeana Lewie, Holly Bonges and Morgan Bonges; grandson Frank Bonges; grandson and granddaughter-in-law: Henry August “Hab” (Pornsuda “Bah”) Bonges IV; great-granddaughter Karli Bonges; great-grandson Jacob Memmer; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by father George Schini; mother Regina (Zimmerman) Schini; husband Henry “Hank” August Bonges Jr.; daughter Julianne “Julie” Lewie, Wife of Dana Lewie; daughter-in-law Roberta “Bert” Bonges, Wife of Dale “Kevin” Bonges; sister and brother-in-law: Anna [Joseph “Joe”] Schneider; sister Marie Schini; sister and brother-in-law: Esther “Essie” [Alphey “Jack”] Schlipf; sister and brother-in-law: Emilie [Elmer] Anliker; sister and brother-in-law: Bertha [Marion] Gudeman; sister Nathalia “Nettie” Schini; sister and brother-in-law: Alma [Victor “Vic”] Bahler; brother and sisters-in-law: Albert [Lorene, 1918-1957] and [Amelia] Schini; brother and sister-in-law George [Jeanette] Schini; brother and sister-in-law Walter [Ruth] Schini; niece and her husband: Norma Jean “Norma” [Tom] Goepfrich; and nieces: Linda Beer, Shirley Furrer and Charlene Getz.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Francesville.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 9, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville.
The service will be livestreamed at https://accentral.apostolicchristian.org/. One can select “use the app without an account” or set up an account.
A luncheon will follow. This will be followed by a graveside service and her internment at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Loda, Illinois at 2:30 p.m. EST.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Apostolic Christian World Relief Haiti Fund, the Loving Shepherd Ministries Haiti Fund, or Parkview Haven in Francesville.
Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Jan. 7, 2026)