Raymond 'Ray' Lorenzo Bonney, 65

Raymond "Ray" Lorenzo Bonney, 65, died of natural causes on Thursday Aug. 28, 2008, at Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Raymond was born June 5, 1943, in Kalispell, to Virgil R. and Mildred E. Bonney (Rhine). The family lived in Coram at the time and later moved to Whitefish after his dad became ill with cancer.

After his father passed away, the family moved to the Hamilton area for two years and then to a logging camp near Missoula. (His mother had married Erik Straarup in 1950.) They then moved to Happy's Inn to Zadra Logging Camp. He attended the Little Red Schoolhouse at Happy's Inn and then Libby High School.

Ray had lived at Carol Robert's home on Idaho Street before moving to an assisted living facility in Bonners Ferry. In spite of his many disabilities, Ray had a very upbeat personality and loved to visit with friends and acquaintances alike, especially when it was sunny and hot and he could sit out in the sun. Rain and snow didn't keep him home for long. He ran around town in his electric wheelchair with flags flying and he loved eating in the restaurants and shopping. He enjoyed taking pictures of birds and flowers and feeding the neighborhood squirrels.

Raymond is survived by his sister, Phyllis Hogue, and husband, Emery, of Libby; two nephews, Darryl Hogue and Kathy of Morrison, Ill., and their four children, and Daniel Hogue and Sabin and their son of Yakima, Wash. He is also survived by one half brother, Lee Rhine and Marinell, of American Falls, Idaho, and their four children and families; and one sister-in-law, Joan Persicke, of St. James, Mo., and her six children and grandchildren. He also has many cousins in the Kalispell and Whitefish areas.

Ray was preceded in death by his nephew, Dean Hogue, in 1995; his half brother, Robert Persicke, in 2005; and mother and stepfather, Mildred and Erik Straarup.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today, Sept. 4, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Libby.

Schnackenburg and Nelson Funeral Home in Libby is in charge of arrangements.