Bonnie O. Dennis, 78, of Carmi and formerly of Herald, went to meet the Lord on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Wabash Christian Retirement Center. Her loving family was at her side.

Bonnie was born May 28, 1931, in Oilton, OK, the daughter of Elroy and Odessa Bevel, both of whom preceded her.

She married James R. “Benny” Dennis on June 22, 1947, in a double ceremony with lifelong friends, Betty and Clinton Clark of rural Carmi. Benny and Bonnie were lifetime owner and operators of several service stations and restaurants in Carmi, serving the community and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. Benny would do the cashier and public relations and Bonnie the cooking and the hiring and firing (alongside sons Barry and Tony). Benny preceded her in death on July 28, 1994. She attended local churches in Carmi – Mercy Gate and World Harvest Christian Center.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Gloria Dennis of Herald, and Tony and Stephanie Dennis of Carmi; two sisters, Diane Stanhope of Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Marsha Pritchard of McLeansboro; four precious grandsons, Benjamin Dennis, Brock Dennis, Keegan Dennis and Matthew Broom; four precious granddaughters, Tiffany (nee Dennis) Porter, Shelda (nee Dennis) Noto, Jennifer McCormick and Kathleen A. Buchanan; eleven great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, and nephews, and her loving dogs at home, Sassy, Albert, and Baby.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, August 16, 2009, at 2:00 pm, at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home/Kittinger-Fair in Carmi, with graveside services to follow at White County Memorial Gardens in Carmi. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2009, in the funeral home chapel. Donations may be made to Feed The Children and will be accepted at The Coffee Shop as well as the funeral home.