Bonnie Lou Burkley

Bonnie Lou Tuttle Burkley

(1934-2018)

Bonnie Lou Tuttle Burkley, 83, of Williamston, MI, passed into the arms of Jesus in the ICU Unit of Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Bonnie was born on July 24, 1934, in Lansing, MI, the second child of Ernest and Margaret (Gaffner) Tuttle. Some of her happiest childhood and youth memories were the years she spent with her family (parents and two sisters) “out on the farm” on Dietz Road. She loved the animals, the outdoors, playing softball on the side lawn, and visiting and helping the farmer neighbors. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Williamston and loved the youth parties hosted at her parents’ house. As a youth, she also attended Camp Barakel in northern Michigan, and experienced wonderful times there throughout her entire adult life.

Bonnie attended Williamston High School, and in 1952 happily married Jean Burkley, also of Williamston. Since Jean was in the Army, they lived at Fort Hood, a U. S. military post in Killeen, TX, for over a year. Upon their return to Williamston, they built a house on Burkley Road, where they resided for the remaining years of their marriage. Sadly, in 1980, Jean passed away.

Bonnie never knew a stranger. She loved people and had a gift of engaging them in conversation. She was compassionate. She also had the gift of encouragement; people sensed her love and care for them. She kept up with her friends from high school and church until the last days of her life. She loved and doted on her grandchildren, great grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and their children, along with her cousins, filling albums and walls with their pictures and achievements. She wanted to know how each was doing and at a conversation’s close would always say, “Well, I will pray for him/her.”

She loved Country music and especially George Strait, the “King of Country.” She was an avid Blue Bloods watcher, along with CSI Miami and veterinarian/animal shows. For many years, her first love was reading. She, also, thoroughly enjoyed travel. She was always “up” for a celebration, party, outing or adventure. Bonnie loved life! And, she loved doing it with others.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Paula Jean Hull of Mason, MI; two grandchildren, Kimberly Marie (Russell) Oesterle of Mason, MI, and Steven Hull of Lansing, MI; two great-grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews, and two sisters, Charlotte Syson of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Ruth (Bill) Conard of Evansville, IN.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Williamston Chapel. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.grwilliamston.com.