Bonnie Haines

Bonnie Haines, 87, of South Haven, died June 19, 2013 at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven. She was born January 19, 1926 in South Haven to Bertha (Burrows) Haynes and Glenn Dale Haynes. She was a Haynes before marrying Gordon D. Haines on Sept. 14, 1948. Bonnie always enjoyed telling the story of how she was asked by Gordon to change the “y” to “I” and add “es” when changing her last name in marriage.

Bonnie was a 1946 graduate of South Haven High School and then attended Davenport College in Grand Rapids for one year receiving accounting and bookkeeping skills. Bonnie worked at S.E. Overton’s during World War II making gun stocks prior to graduation. She also worked for the Bank of South haven until she and Gordon started a family in the early 50s. Bonnie then worked for Haines Electric Motor Service as secretary until Gordon’s tragic and untimely drowning death in 1975.

During her younger years, Bonnie was involved with the Maple Grove School PTA and the South Haven Hospital Guild. She was proud of being a “domestic engineer” raising her three children during their formative years. She also loved gardening, bowling, and reading when time allowed. One of the best times of her life was when she worked as a volunteer at Baseline Middle School for seven years as “Granny B” in the classroom for special needs children. Bonnie received a Van Buren County Volunteer award in 2005 for her many hours of service to the South Haven Schools.

In 1972, Gordon and Bonnie semi-retired to Orlando, FL until Gordon’s drowning death in 1975. Bonnie remained in Orlando until daughter Kathleen’s auto accident in 1985. At that time, Bonnie unselfishly sacrificed her home and job to move back to South Haven to help Kathy rehabilitate back to a normal life. Bonnie always put her children and her husband first in her life.

Preceding Bonnie in death was Gordon Haines in 1975. She is survived by daughter Kathleen (Haines) and Charles Dailey Jr. of South Haven, daughter Janet (Haines) and Larry Ricco of Delton, and son, Gordon Scott Haines and Cinde Haines of Tucson, AZ. She has three grandchildren Melanie Powis of Truckee, CA, Brett Powis and Lisa (Doud) Powis of Grand Rapids, plus Ashley Haines of Winter Haven, FL. Bonnie also has three great-grandchildren, Matthew and Hallee Haines of Winter Haven, FL and Anthony Powis of Grand Rapids.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of South Haven Rev. John Fisher officiating. Cremation will take place per her request. Memorial donations may be given to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.