Melva Irene Bonsall

Friends and family gathered together to remember Melva Irene Bonsall, who passed from this life at the age of 90 years at Sterling, KS at 2:35 pm on February 11, 2014. Melva was born April 17, 1923 in rural Haskell County, KS, north of Satanta, the daughter of Melvin and Julia (Duncan) Allen. She later moved with her parents southeast of Satanta and lived there and graduated 8th grade from Fairview, a one room country school. She then went on to Sublette High School, graduating in 1941. Melva then married Milton Bonsall on March 1, 1942 in the Christian Church in Garden City, KS. They shared a very happy life together for 46 years in Stevens County, KS. After they were married, she worked on the farm along with the housework, cooking and taking meals to the field. She was also the one who was sent to get repairs and other things that were needed for the farm. She drove grain truck and helped move from one field to another. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and homemaker. They were blessed with two children, Connie (Bonsall) Kilgore and Roger Bonsall. Other survivors include son-in-law R. L. Kilgore, Jr., daughter-in-law Cindy Bonsall, a brother Wayne Allen and a sister Shirley Phoenix and spouse John. Melva had 4 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and several precious nieces and nephews and many other relatives and a host of friends. She loved her family, church and all her friends. Her family and friends will miss her, but will treasure the memories she had in their lives. Melva was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Liberal, KS. She was baptized at 12 years of age into the Christian faith. She and Milton were 4-H leaders and worked as superintendants of the livestock department at the 5 State Fair for several years. She worked on the Stevens and Seward County election board. She had also worked at the Southwest Medical Center snack bar for the hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the Praireola Ladies aide and serving club. The memory of her family and all her friends will be cherished by all. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton in May, 1988, her parents, twin infant brothers Willis and William, 2 brothers Glen Allen and Max Allen and grandson Ryan Kilgore. Funeral Service will be 10:00 am Monday, Feb. 17th at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ with Pastor Terry Ford presiding. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 – 5 pm Sunday at Brenneman Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 3 – 5 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of her memory to the First Christian Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901.