Susan A. Bonales

Susan Ann (Etnyre) Bonales, 84, went to be with our Lord on November 4, 2023. She did so while peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Lindenhurst, IL. Susan was born in Dixon, IL, on January 22, 1939, and is the daughter of Dr. Lamar and Ethel (Trotter) Wells. Susan was a woman ahead of her time and led the charge in every aspect of her life. Her passion for her family was only rivaled by her passion for improving and positively impacting the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. For decades, she heralded this cause, filling many roles including Nurse, Training Instructor, and finally Mental Health Program Administrator. A licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Susan received the DSSAR Award “for outstanding service to the D. D. Community.” Susan’s dedication to her husband and family was without end. You could often times find her racing from work to make one of her children’s, and later her grandchildrens’, games, track meets, recitals, and awards ceremonies. It was with Superwoman abilities she raised her nine children while advancing her career and education, achieving a master’s degree before the age of 50. An avid reader, Susan was also a master seamstress and artist, going so far as to create a small arts and craft business in the early 1980s with her beloved husband Benjamin. You could find Susan celebrating her Irish Heritage on many more days than just St. Patrick’s. She enjoyed listening to Irish music, especially from her cherished Leahy’s Luck. Before Parkinson’s had taken its hold, Susan and her husband journeyed to Ireland creating memories that would last a lifetime. Although Susan and her family relocated from Dixon, IL to Lindenhurst, IL, she never lost track of her beginnings. She kept up with her Dixon High School (DHS) graduating class of 1957, enjoying many reunions, and reminiscing with old friends. In the DHS 2007 reunion bulletin Susan expounded on her life since high school stating, “My life has been extremely fulfilling, and I wouldn’t change a minute of it.” If life is like baseball, a series of ups and downs, wins and losses, then Susan lived it all with her much loved Chicago Cubs. Throughout years of losing games and seasons, Susan never gave up her faith in the Cubbies. In 2016, that faith was repaid when the Cubs won the World Series. Through tears of joy, she remarked that she had only wished her eldest son was alive to celebrate with her. Susan spent her final years battling Parkinson’s disease with her doting husband by her side until the end. Even as this disease took its toll on her physical being, her spirit persevered. In her final days Susan still lifted her loved one’s spirits with her quick wit, knowing glances and loving words. Susan is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, her eldest child Michael Ramage, and her brother Jeffrey Wells. She is survived by her husband Benjamin Bonales, Lindenhurst, IL, and her sister, Joanne (Larry) Stern, Rockford, IL; children Daniel Ramage, Joel (Candis) Ramage, Terry Ramage, Sean (Cathy) Ramage, Christine Johnston (Michael Collins), Ruben (Melissa) Bonales, Erin Bonales, and Rebecca McConnell; grandchildren Sara Ramage, Kathleen Ramage, Gabriel Johnston, Kelly Ramage, Garrett (Ana) Ramage, Maxwell (Julie) Ramage, Megan Ramage, Sydney Bonales, Madeline Pfundstein, Madelaine Bonales, Anna Ramage, and Benjamin Barnett; and several cherished nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM at the Jones Funeral Home, Dixon, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial contributions can be made in Susan’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Susan A. Bonales

January 22, 1939 - November 4, 2023