Nancy E. Bonsall
d. December 1, 2011
Nancy Elizabeth (McSwain) Bonsall, age 89, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, died on Thursday, December 1, 2011.
Born in Shelby, North Carolina, Nancy was the daughter of Hugh Karr McSwain of Earl, North Carolina, and Minnie Smith McSwain of Cherrykee, South Carolina.
She is predeceased by her five brothers, Ralph, Thaddeus, James, Woodrow, and Jack; and by her husband, Grover Senior Bonsall, Sr., who died in 1995. Survivors include her son, Grover Senior Bonsall, Jr. (Nora) of Newark, Delaware; her daughter Nancy Lynette Lane of Wilmington, Delaware; as well as her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her sister-in-law in Texas, Ruth McSwain, also survives her.
Married in Brandywine Hundred in 1946, Nancy and Grover shared 49 years of marriage. Prior to moving to Bedford, Nancy and Grover owned a dairy farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania, a productive farm which is still in operation today in the Amish farming community.
Nancy was a dedicated Benefits Counselor in the Bedford Office of Veterans Affairs for ten years serving under three directors, for which she was honored by the Bedford County Commissioners and veterans groups in May 2000.
Nancy generously volunteered as a member of the Altar Guild and Choir at Yeager Memorial Lutheran Church near Rainsburg; the Old Bedford Village; the Bedford County Fair; the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania; the USO; and the American Red Cross.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Yeager Memorial Lutheran Church, 3419 Main Road, Bedford, Pennsylvania, on Route 326 near Rainsburg, with the Rev. Jenny Barnes officiating.
In addition, a graveside service will take place on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chester Bethel Cemetery of the Chester Bethel United Methodist Church, 2619 Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware, with the Rev. Carmella Evans officiating.
There will be no visitation.
Funeral arrangements by Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, and Chandler Funeral Homes, Wilmington, Delaware. An online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com