James D. Bonine, of Culver Indiana, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2023, at the age of 85. Jim was born on October 7th, 1937 in Rochester, Indiana to the late Ernest D. and Martha A. (Brown) Bonine. On May 29, 1960, he married Rosalie R. Beigh. Jim is survived by wife of 62 years, Rosalie, their four children: Cynthia Goss of Glendora, CA, James Kevin (Amy) Bonine of Culver, Karen (Estel) Blocker of Culver, and Stephany (Walter) Engel of FL; seven grandchildren: Stephen Goss, Natalie Goss, James Anthony Bonine, Kellie Ann Bonine (Raymond) Harris, Kathryn Blocker, Daniel Blocker, Anna Blocker; and sister Harriet (Ed) Provost.
Jim was a 1955 graduate of Rochester High School. He was an apprentice in funeral service during his senior year. He then went on to graduate from Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1956, the youngest in his class.
After becoming licensed, he relocated to Warsaw, Indiana. There he met Rosalie at a funeral home while employed together. As a young couple they moved to Culver in 1960 and were associated with the Easterday Funeral Service, purchasing the business in 1963. In 1965 they relocated the funeral home from the former downtown storefront to a newly remodeled location at 104 Lakeshore Drive to better serve the community. He operated the Bonine Funeral Home and served the community in their time of need for over 40 years.
In addition, Jim ran the funeral home’s 24/7 ambulance service and was the first in Marshall County to have EMTs. He later helped organize Culver-Union Township Emergency Medical Service in 1979 and donated an ambulance to support his community.
Jim was a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years. He was also an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, South Bend Scottish Rite, Culver Union Township Volunteer Fire Department, Maxinkuckee Lodge IOOF, Culver Chamber of Commerce, Culver Lions Club, Culver Economic Development Committee, Culver Jaycees, Culver Organization for Planning, Action, and Development, and the Marshall County Community Foundation.
Funeral Services will be at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Culver Wesley United Methodist Church, Culver with Reverend Daniel J. Berger officiating. Visitation hours will be from 12:00pm – 3:00 pm, Thursday at the church. Burial will follow at Culver Masonic Cemetery, Culver.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of James D. Bonine to Culver Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 Schools Street, Culver, Indiana 46511.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the website: www.johnson-danielson.com
