Gene R. Bonar

CHERRYVALE — Gene R. Bonar, 85, of rural Cherryvale passed away at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at his home.

He was born on Dec. 1, 1937, at Belpre, Ohio, to Ira Warren and Genevieve (Robinson) Bonar. He grew up at Belpre and attended schools there, graduating from Belpre High School in 1955. Gene served in the United States Air Force from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1959. 

Gene returned to Belpre, where he managed the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. He moved to El Dorado in 1973 and then to Parsons in 1975, where he also managed Kentucky Fried Chicken. He later drove a school bus and for Airborne Express. Gene retired in 2004.

He enjoyed woodworking and coaching his son’s baseball teams. He attended the Church of Christ in Parsons.

He married Lois Rounkles on June 3, 1961, at Paradise. She survives of the home.

Gene is also survived by his sons, Greg Bonar of Parsons and Warren Bonar and his wife, Sarah, of Rose Hill; his daughter, Gina Ramey and her husband, Mitch, of Parsons; his grandchildren, Keelyn Freeman of Rose Hill, Braden Bonar of Augusta, Brett Bonar of Omaha, Nebraska, and Olivia Bonar of Parsons; his great-granddaughter, Isabella Freeman of Rose Hill; his sister, Toni Marie Shoppe of the Houston, Texas, area; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Ray Bonar; and three brothers, Gary, Glenn and Gale Bonar.

Gene has willed his body to the University of Kansas Medical Center. A private family service will be at a later date.

Leave online condolences at www.wallfuneralservices.com.