Alberta J. Bonifay

Alberta J. Bonifay, 85, of Dennison, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Trinity Hospital Twin City in Dennison, after a sudden illness. Born August 3, 1929 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late William M. and Pearl L. (Miller) Sterling.

A lifelong resident of Dennison, Alberta was a graduate of Dennison High School in 1947, a longtime member of Park Christian Church in Dennison, and a member of Eastern Star Lodge #349 for many years. On May 16, 1948, she married Charles Richard Bonifay with whom she enjoyed over 51 years of marriage until his passing on August 29, 1999. Alberta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker who also kept the books for her husband’s business, Bonifay Heating and Cooling. She loved to crochet and made many beautiful creations for her children and grandchildren.

Alberta is survived by her children, Sue (Tom) Vermillion of Dennison, Linda Shaw of Gnadenhutten, Jeanne (Mike) Abel of Dennison, Richard (Debbie) Bonifay of Dennison, Cindy (Greg) Shinaberry of Uhrichsville, and Brian (Stacie) Bonifay of Dennison; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren with two more expected; brother, Wayne (Lucille) Sterling of Dennison; sister, Nancy (Gene) Smith of Canton; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Richard Shaw; sisters, Dorothy Long and Edythe Ford; and brothers, Don and Billy Sterling.

Services for Alberta, officiated by Pastor Lyle Warren, will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, in Park Christian Church. Family and friends are invited to call at the church from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. A private, family graveside service is planned for her interment in Roxford Church Cemetery near Dennison. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Association, and the Trinity Hospital Twin City Foundation.