Charles Bonavia

CHARLES BONAVIA

Waverly

Longtime Waverly resident Charles "Chuck" Bonavia died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the age of 93.

Chuck was born July 22, 1920, in Lena, Ill., son of Peter and Mary (Migliore) Bonavia. He loved to tell the story of how he started out with two pennies his father gave him. He peddled newspapers, worked for the local dentist as an office assistant and started his lifelong career for the Illinois Central Railroad during one of the hottest summers as a section laborer.

Chuck graduated from Lena High School in 1939 and attended Telegraph and Business School in Valparaiso, Ind., working his way through by washing dishes. During the war his unit was sent overseas while he was sent on for further training in communications using the Continental Code and as a radio operator. Chuck was proud to be a World War II veteran.

Chuck met and married Rossalie Trunnelle, a co-worker for the Illinois Central, in 1947. They had daughter Charlotte Rose while living in Waverly. They later separated. He married Jean Betts in 1965 and welcomed Barbara and Donald Betts into his home.

After retiring from Illinois Central Gulf as a customer service agent in 1981, Chuck and Jean traveled from coast to coast, gardened, played cards and enjoyed spending time with family.

In later years his coffee friends became like family in whose company he greatly enjoyed.

Chuck's memory is honored by his daughter, Charlotte Bonavia of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren, Barbara (Terry) Harrison, Omaha, Neb., and Don (Merrilee) Betts, Cedar Falls; stepgrandsons, Joshua and Spencer, Cedar Falls; sister, Antoinette D'Urso, Urbana, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; a step-grandson, Jeremy Betts; brothers, Peter, George and Jack Bonavia; and sisters, Leonarda Cacioppo, Virginia Cassioppi and Mary Guzzardo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Waverly, with Waverly Area Veteran Groups giving honors. Visitation will be Friday, March 21, at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly, where the family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Scripture service at 7:15 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to either the Waverly Health Center or donor's choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.kaiser corson.com.