Charles Bruce Bonifield

Charles was born on April 24, 1937, in Warren, Indiana. After graduating from Warren High School in 1955, he decided to pursue his lifelong love of art by studying Industrial Design at Purdue University. He then transferred to the prestigious Art Center College of Design in California, where he majored in Transportation Design, graduating in 1959. Charles enlisted in the Indiana National Guard after college where he served for 2 years.

While attending a Tall Club convention in Colorado, Charles met the love of his life, Macy Marie Ferguson of Atlanta, Georgia. They were married in 1966 in Atlanta and began their life together in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1971, they moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where they lived until 1987. After a brief time in Shreveport, Louisiana, they settled in Bradenton, Florida, in 1989, where they have resided ever since.

Charles and Marie were blessed with two sons, Mark (Christine) Bonifield, Warsaw, IN. and Kent (Kellie) Bonifield, Sarasota, FL. He was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren: Emma Bonifield (Cameron) Spahr, Tallulah Bonifield, Parker Bonifield, Macy Bonifield, and Moxie Bonifield. Just one week before his passing, Charles joyfully learned he would become a great-grandfather. He immediately and enthusiastically claimed the title “Super Pappy.”

Throughout most of his career, Charles worked as a designer, contributing to boat, RV, and utility truck design, as well as architectural renderings. One of his most notable endeavors was founding his own company, BoniCraft Boats, in Warsaw, Indiana. As owner, designer, builder, and salesperson, he poured his passion and ingenuity into creating distinctive and innovative runabout boats.

Charles and Marie were longtime members of First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw while in Indiana and later members of Church of the Palms in Sarasota, Florida.

Charles had a deep love for his family, painting, sketching, basketball, and cheering on Purdue Athletics. A sketchbook was rarely far from his side. His studio overflowed with original works, from large oil paintings of Walter Payton to serene watercolor scenes of coastal towns.

A private ceremony will be held at Church of the Palms, where Charles’s ashes will be lovingly placed in the church’s memorial gardens.