Bonnie Lea Nea Howard

Bonnie Lea Nea Howard, a former Trenton resident, passed away at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday Feb. 9, 2022 at Maryville Living Center in Maryville.
She is to be cremated under the direction of Slater-Neal Funeral Home of Trenton.
Bonnie was born June 4, 1926 in Trenton, the daughter of Dewey F. and Cecil Marie Fanning Nea. She attended Brainard Elementary School and was a member of the Trenton High School Class of 1945. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Trenton and the Democratic Women’s Club. Bonnie was a long- time resident of Trenton and worked in several local businesses including the Graham Grocery Store, Boyer’s Drug Store, Cisco Drug Store, J.C. Penney, the Jewel Box, and Dale and Bach Jewelry. She retired as a staff member at Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton. Bonnie enjoyed reading and visited the local library on a regular basis. She also enjoyed traveling, with trips to Hawaii being the highlight.
She lived for several years with her sister, Mary Lou, at the Plaza Apartments, where she made friends with her neighbors and visitors.
She was dearly loved by her nephews and nieces, Michael Joseph Furlong and his wife, Marilyn of Maryville, Patricia F. Mertens and her husband, John of Ironton and James Dewey Furlong and his wife, Wava of Granger, IN. Bonnie was also a great-aunt to Amy Fitzgerald of St. Joseph, Marty Nolte of Maryville, Michael Furlong of Mishawaka, IN, Nathan Furlong of Livonia, MI, Kayce Mertens Strohmeyer of Washington and John Mertens of Winfield; and great-great aunt to 14 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Dewey Fanning Nea, who died at birth, and two sisters, Rema Furlong and Mary Louise Nea.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library or the First Christian Church. They may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.resthavenmort.com.