Bonnie J. McIntyre

Bonnie was born in the town of Gwinn in Marquette County, Michigan on June 28, 1921 to Eugene and Debra Laneville.

In the small railroad and mining town, the economy did not lend itself to supporting a large family. Thus, at the age of five, Bonnie was placed for adoption and separated from her biological brothers. Bonnie was adopted on November 25, 1925 to Harry and Eva Lytle of Gwinn, Michigan.

After graduation from Gwinn High School, she worked for her father in the insurance business and then moved to Chicago to become a naïve secretary for a small law firm. Realizing that the big city type of ‘business’ was not for her, she moved back to Gwinn, again working for her father’s ever growing insurance business.

During the WWII, she met a young, dashing and cocky Marine Lieutenant, married him and for the next thirty-six years became the perfect officer’s wife as well as a wonderful and caring mother. Early in her marriage she was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to have children of her own. She and her husband, (both adopted in their early years), made the commitment to adopt a son who remained their only child. She and the Colonel traveled from coast to coast during their time in the Corps and finally settled in the Atlanta area. After her husband’s death in 1983, Bonnie moved to Chattanooga where she remained close to her grandchildren and family. After several accidents and illnesses, Bonnie chose to move to a nursing home where she lived out the remainder of her days.

She was preceded in death by: husband, Colonel Gerald B. McIntyre, parents Harry and Eva Lytle, aunt, Lillian Pepin, brothers Lea and Leo Laneville.

Surviving family members include: son, Michael McIntyre and his wife, Linda (Forsha), grandchildren Melissa A. Dorsey and her husband Sean; Melanie D. Klaus and her husband Matt; Michelle L. McIntyre and her husband, Andy Farmer; Patrick M. McIntyre. Great grandchildren: Jaime E. Kuykendall, Brittany A. Kuykendall, Matthew Klaus, Liam Klaus, and Kieran Klaus.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday, July 15th at the funeral home.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

Bonnie will be interned with her husband in the National Cemetery in Chattanooga TN following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Semper Fi Fund for wounded and in need Marines, The Wounded Marine Fund, Paralyzed Veterans, or the charity of your choice.

Special thanks goes out to all the staff, nurses, CNAs, and volunteers at the Life Care Center of Red Bank for the wonderful ‘second family’ you were to Bonnie and her family and special thanks to Hospice for making the transition for our mother and grandmother a calming experience.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist. 404 South Moore Road.