Dolores Merriman Bonawitz

Dolores Bonawitz, 96, died of natural causes at the Central Montana Nursing Home on July 3, 2008. Dolores was the only child of Charles A. and Dorothy (Lewis) Merriman and was born in Syracuse, NY May 28, 1912. After attending High School in Brighton, MA., she moved to Washington DC to assit in the WWII effort. Her performances at that time and throughout her lifetime was best stated by Lt. Colonel Clarence Haymes, HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES, 26, June 1945. "Miss Merriman, CAF-5, has been employed in this headquarters since 31 July 1941. During the past year she has been employed as a secretary under my immeadiate supervision. She is a very competent secretary, highly intelligent, conscientious, well-mannered, loyal to those with whom she works and cooperative in the highest degree. Incidentally, she is wholly above any ordinary feminine pettiness..." It was about this time she met her husband, Lewistown native, Col. Norval C. Bonawitz, USAF, who had just returned from Brazil, where he had been teaching young pilots, fighter tactics. They were married in 1946 and enjoyed a loving partnership until his death in 1995. As a military couple they traveled extensively throughout the country and overseas. Following retirement, they moved to Missoula. Dolores's effervescent personality earned her the respect and friendship of all who became acquainted with her until the very end. Family and friends will remember her easy laugh, smile and the necessity of having several tissues anytime she was leaving her home. She is survived by her niece Bonnie Rutter of CA and nephew Mike Bourke of Lewistown. Memorial Services are being planned for later this summer at Ft. Missoula where her husband is buried.

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