Bonnie Lee Buzzard (84) of Altamont, formerly of Beecher City

Bonnie Lee Buzzard, 84, of Altamont, formerly of Beecher City, passed away peacefully at 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at the Lutheran Care Center in Altamont with her family by her side.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 11 at Beecher City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to HSHS St. Anthony’s Hospice or donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left by clicking here 

She was born September 28, 1932 at home in Louden Township, Fayette County the daughter of Roy Ervin and Goldie Marie (Lancaster) Julius. She attended Hogge Creek School and was a 1949 graduate of Beecher City High School. She married Roland Eugene Little on September 16, 1950 in St. Elmo. Roland was serving in the Army and stationed in Camp Gordon, Augusta, GA where together they spent four years and welcomed two daughters, Brenda and Debra, before moving to live on the Little farm. They later moved into Beecher City where they welcomed two sons, Daniel and Ray Lynn. Roland passed away September 23, 1978. On June 29, 1982 Bonnie married Vance Alfred “Mike” Buzzard in Effingham. He preceded her in death on June 14, 2008. Bonnie was a homemaker and babysat for many children in the Beecher City area. She kept herself busy taking care of her family and did a lot for other people. She later worked as a cook at the Beecher City Grade School for several years. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Beecher City and later attended the Altamont Church of Christ.

Bonnie is survived by her children Brenda Phelps of Beecher City, Debra and husband Robert Grubaugh of Altamont, Daniel and wife Debra of Beecher City and Ray Lynn and wife Lori of Bethany, stepchildren Richard and wife Alice Buzzard of Godfrey, Candy and husband David Widick of St. Joseph, Eric and wife Lyna Buzzard of St. Joseph, Julie Buzzard of Verdes, NM, and Andrew Buzzard of Champaign. Grandchildren Amber Strauch and friend Mike Sapp, Virgil and wife Ginger Strauch, Benjamin Little, Sonja Fields and husband Billy, Dakota Little, Jarrod Widick and wife Amanda, Daniel Widick and wife Jessica, Keith Buzzard, Michael Buzzard, Travis Buzzard, Kristopher Buzzard. She has many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sister Fern Anderson, brothers Karl and Keith Julius, and granddaughter Alena Ruth Buzzard.