Donald Edward Bonacker passed away January 6, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born in a farmhouse built by his Great-Grandfather on the Big River, near House Springs, Missouri on September 21, 1932, to Kenneth Edward and Matilda Anna (Ficken) Bonacker. He has said the art of herding rather than driving, learned early from tending cattle and hogs, guided him in all his activities, especially persuasive efforts. He used this art of persuasion in all aspects of his life, his law career, on the bench and yes, with his family. He would do anything for his family, he was as generous with his love as he was with his time. He grew up in a culture of getting up early and staying up to complete the day’s work and this drove him to be successful in his career, his activities, and his commitment to civic duty.

There were significant events that caused him to take stock and set his life’s course toward law. He had several sobering incidents that caused him to curtail his youthful activities and then he was injured on the farm. During his recovery, he watched the televised Kefauver U.S. Senate hearings conducted in St. Louis and was intrigued. He set his sights on Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri to study law. He worked several jobs and lived frugally to finish school. Between school, he was drafted into the Army in 1954 and served in Anchorage, Alaska, discharged as Private 2^nd Class.  Then he earned his degree and passed the Bar in 1959 before moving to Springfield, Missouri to start his career because ‘people were friendly and helpful’ here.

After nearly 25 years as a successful lawyer, he was elected as a Greene County Circuit Court Judge, Division Three. He wouldn’t seek accolades for his career, but he was proud of what he was able to contribute to Greene County and to the Law. He had great respect for the law, those that worked around him and for those before him in court. He retired from the bench in 1998 to be with his family and enjoy free time. One of his favorite activities was flying with his wife, Mary, when they would set off in their Cessna 170B for an adventure full of memories. Few other things made him happier.

Donald felt a sense of civic duty starting early on in his life. He and his brother helped collect scrap metal and milkweed pods for the war effort and before he could vote, he worked on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Presidential campaign. He continued devoting his time and leadership to the Republican Party and to the Greene County Library Board for several years.

Donald enjoyed telling stories about life on the farm, about his cases, and his time on the bench. And he was quite the storyteller. Always finishing the recollection with a smile and a laugh. His varied interests included spending time on his farm in the woods, building or fixing things, raising cattle, golfing, reading, researching, and meeting new people and swapping stories.

Donald met his first wife on a blind date. He married Joyce McGee (DOD 5-3-95), on December 26, 1953 at High Ridge, Missouri. There were two children from that marriage, Scott (DOD 5-7-18) and Lisa. He married his second wife, Mary Schupbach (DOD 9-21-20), June 8, 1980 in the backyard of their Rogersville, Missouri home. Mary had two daughters from her previous marriage, Terry and Lisa. He had ten grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; he was proud of all of them, and they gave him great joy.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Alvin in 2002, his younger brother, Stanley in 2020, his first wife in 1995, his second wife, Mary in 2020, his son, Scott in 2018, an infant son in 1961 and his brother-in-law, Floyd in 2005. He said it was like losing his best friend when he lost his son. Shortly after Scott’s death, Mary required his care which he gave willingly and lovingly until her death.

Survivors include his daughter, Lisa  Slattery of Springfield, Missouri, his daughter-in-law, Debbie Bonacker of Rogersville, Missouri, two step daughters, Terry (Fred) Hedgepeth of Ozark, Missouri and Lisa Ness (Pete) of West Linn, Oregon, ten  grandchildren, Leslie Bonacker of Springfield, Missouri, Mitchell Slattery (Ivory) of Bridgeton, Maine, Peter Slattery of Springfield, Missouri, Daniel Slattery of St. Louis, Missouri, Katie Baker (Ryan) of Ozark, Missouri, Laurie Fairbairn (Matt) of Ozark, Missouri, Abbie Hedgepeth of St. Louis, Missouri, John Hedgepeth of Ozark, Missouri, Drew Ness of West Linn, Oregon and Luke Ness of West Linn, Oregon, three great grandchildren, Jack Fairbairn, Reid Fairbairn, Olivia Fairbairn all of Ozark, Missouri, sister, Loretta Boemler (Floyd) of St. Louis, Missouri, sister-in-law, Jackie Bonacker (Alvin), sister-in-law Mary Bonacker (Stanley) of Cedar Hill, Missouri, sister-in-law Nora Jean Barnard of Green Forest, Arkansas, sister-in-law Janet Bassett of Crane, Missouri and several nieces and nephews, by blood and marriage, friends and extended family.

His advice to friends and family is to remember two things that are necessary for a successful life, a reputation for promise-keeping and a reputation for truth-telling. All good things flow from that.

There will be a Memorial Service at Greenlawn East on Friday, January 28 at 3:00 PM with visitation from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Military honors will occur at the end of the service. Interment at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri will occur at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Barnabas, campbarnabas.org or Camp Barnabas, P.O. Box 3200, Springfield, Missouri, 65808 or to the charity of your choice.