Bonnie J. Mehl

Bonnie Jean Richardson Mehl was born to Dewayne and Ellen Hill Richardson on a farm 14 miles south of Beloit, Kansas on October 6, 1922. She died Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit at the age of 83 years, 3 months, and 8 days.
She attended Georgia Elementary School located ½ mile west of her home. She enjoyed working and helping her parents on the farm. She attended Beloit High School and graduated in the class of 1940. During her senior year, she met Clarence Mehl at a friend's house. He would later become her husband of 64 years.
Bonnie and Clarence were married on October 26, 1941. To this union, four sons were born: Ronald Steve, Timothy Scott, Jack Lee, and David Dewayne. Three months after their wedding, Clarence was drafted to serve in the Armed Forces and spent three years overseas. During this time, Bonnie moved to Wichita, where she worked at Beach Aircraft Company to help in the war effort.
After the war, Bonnie and Clarence started farming with Clarence's father, Clarence Sr., and brother, Tom. They lived on the Baldwin ranch, located 15 miles southwest of Beloit, until 1994, when they moved to Beloit.
Bonnie was a devoted and faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She took special pride and interests in her sons' lives and the lives of their families. She also took special interest in her grandchildren, never too busy to stop what she was doing to play games with them or help them in their endeavors. She was an icon in all their families, setting an example for all to follow. With her soft heartedness, she also found time to help others in need by taking them in to her home and healing them with her special touch. Bonnie was a devoted Christian, who lived her life in a caring and humble manner.
Left to mourn her passing is her husband, Clarence; four sons and their wives, Ronald and wife Ann of Auburn, Washington, Timothy and wife Rhonda of Beloit, Jack and wife Vickie of Lewisville, Texas, and David and wife June of Maple Grove, Washington; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.


Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 17, at the First Christian Church in Beloit with burial in Saltville Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the church. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit.