Edward Michael Bonner,78, longtime Osawatomie resident, died Monday, April 1, 1996 at Olathe Medical Center.

Eddie, as he was known, was born Sept. 12, 1917 at Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Shirley Erie and Clara Parr Bonner. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1936.

That same year, he began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He was a carman and worked there until he retired in 1977.

He entered the U. S. Army on Nov. 21, 1944, and served during World War II. He was discharged July 21, 1946.

He was married to June Irene Simon in 1940. They became the parents of three children. The marriage ended in divorce in 1956.

He was married to Lela Von Baffery on March 10, 1956. They made their home in Osawatomie.

Mr. Bonner was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, American Legion Post No. 204 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2258, all of Osawatomie, and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Lodge No. 36.

His parents and a daughter, Leanna Buckman, preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Lela Bonner of the home; two sons, Edward Michael Bonner, Jr. of Indianapolis, Ind., and Stephen E. Bonner of Osawatomie; and 13 grandchildren.

Graveside services were at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Osawatomie Cemetery under the direction of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home of Osawatomie. The Rev. Lee Wiersma officiated. Grandsons were pallbearers. Military services were conducted by members of the Osawatomie Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.