Lt. Colonel Franklyn R. Bonnet, 96, of LaPorte, died at 3 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at his home.
He was born Dec. 28, 1915, in Manhattan, New York City, NY, to Frank and Katharyne T. (Ronay) Bonnet. He had lived in LaPorte since 1964, coming from Centerport, Long Island, NY, via La Salle, IL. In retirement, he wintered at St. Pete Beach, FL, with his wife Alice.
As a certified public accountant and financial executive, Col. Bonnet was employed at General Motors Overseas Operation, Carborundum Co., General Time Corp. corporate offices, and as controller of the Westclox Division, and Fairbanks Morse. He came to the U.S. Slicing Machine Company in LaPorte, where he served as a director, secretary-treasurer and vice president of administration for the company and its subsidiaries. For many years he was listed in “Who’s Who in Finance and Industry.”
In 1970 with his wife Alice, they offered investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and businesses as Bonnet & Co., Investment Advisers, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They were a team of guest lecturers and instructors at continuing education centers at the University of Notre Dame, Purdue North Central and Michigan State Northwest. They also conducted seminars in financial planning at various locations in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. As a CPA who passed the New York State examinations in 1942, Col. Bonnet added tax preparation to the services offered.
In World War II, he enlisted as an aviation cadet and after several transfers was assigned to the G4 Section of the Commanding General of the Central Pacific Area, which evolved into the Pacific Ocean Areas. Commissioned in the field as a 2nd lieutenant, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished services. At the end of hostilities, as a captain, he transferred to the Army Reserve, where he served the New York Ordnance District in procurement operations. In 1965, he was transferred to the Retired Reserve with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Lt. Colonel Bonnet received a bachelor of business administration degree from Bernard Baruch College in New York City. He completed a number of graduate courses, qualifying for a CPA.
On June 29, 1941, he married Alice Botte, in Brooklyn, New York City, after a courtship that began in 1933 when they met as freshmen at Bernard Baruch College. The marriage continued until death did them part.
A LaPorte Chapter Kiwanian since 1966, Col. Bonnet was proud of the 33-year perfect attendance tab that hung from his Distinguished Past President’s lapel pin. He served as a member and/or officer and/or director of many organizations, including: American Legion Post 83, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Reserve Officers Association, and the National Association for Uniformed Services. He was a member of the Financial Executives Institute, American Institute of CPAs, New York and Indiana State CPA Societies, National Association of Tax Preparers, Institute of Internal Auditors, South Bend Estate Planning Council, LaPorte County Personnel Managers Association, and LaPorte County Life Underwriters. He was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons, LaPorte Senior Center, Seniors Coalition, United Seniors Association, American Red Cross, LaPorte Chamber of Commerce, LaPorte Manufacturers Association, LaPorte United Fund, Community Hospital, LaPorte Hospital Building Fund, American Field Service, People to People, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, LaPorte County Comprehensive Mental Health Center (now Swanson Center), LaPorte Neutral Zone, Citizens against Government Waste, Heritage Foundation, Indiana Sheriff’s Association, Lincoln Institute Advisory Board, Delta Beta Phi Fraternity, Bernard Baruch College Alumni Association, and University Club of Chicago, Young America’s Foundation.
His parents preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife, Alice (Botte) Bonnet of LaPorte; one daughter, Alicia L. Bonnet of Clear Lake Oaks, CA; one son, Franklyn R. Bonnet Jr. of Miami, FL; and nieces, Alice Louise (Alexander) Kufel of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Antonia Jeanne (Thomas) Jirovsky of La Mirada, CA.
Friends may call at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Friday, Feb. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The rosary will be recited Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home with Deacon Robert Bucheit officiating. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LaPorte, with Rev David Kime officiating. Burial will be in Kingsbury Cemetery, Kingsbury, IN, following the Mass, where a graveside military honor service will be conducted.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 128 Bach St., LaPorte, IN 46350; Catholic Relief Services (USCC), 209 W. Lafayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3433; or to the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.
Billy Joe “Bill” Cooper, 73, of LaPorte, died peacefully at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
