Pierre E. BONEN

LAPORTE, Ind. - Pierre E. Bonen, 56, of LaPorte, died Sunday, April 17, 2005 at 2 p.m. at his home. He was born on August 22, 1948, in Laurium, to Emery and Antonia Eleanore (deLangis) Bonen and had lived in the LaPorte area for 21 years, moving from Lake County. Pierre grew up in Hubbell. He attended high school at Mt. Calvary Seminary and St. Francis Brothers School, after which he attended Baraga Monastery for two years to become a capuchin monk. He went to Crown Point, Ind. to complete his final vows, but 4 months prior to completing them, he decided to leave the monastery, believing that his calling was to do social work on the outside. From there, he went to Governor College and got a degree in social sciences. He worked as a family therapist at LaPorte Hospital for 21 years and had a deep sense that he was at the right place at the right time. He had a heartfelt appreciation for his co-workers there.He loved being at his home in the wooded country and enjoyed reading, cooking, tending his chickens, sitting by his pond, and walking the grounds. He especially liked walking the grounds with his wife, Margaret, and his dog, Norm. He was known for his sensitivity and kindness to people, doing such things as stopping to thank the road crew for fixing the road. On November 18, 1994, in LaPorte, he married Margaret Sheridan, his best friend. There was never a day that they did not laugh together.He was a member of Hudson Lake Mennonite Church where he served as an elder for the past two years. On occasion, he also preached sermons, played preludes for the worship service, and served as a small group facilitator. He was commissioned as Minister of Counseling on June 2, 2002. He offered leadership to a monthly divorce/relationship support group.He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his father, Emery, of Hancock; a stepdaughter, Katherine (Agustin) Alvarez of Milwaukee; a stepson, Andrew (Janet) Wilson of Plymouth; four grandchildren; a brother, Andre (Joyce) of Atlantic Mine; two nephews and a niece.His mother preceded him in death.Pierre was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.