May 31, 1937 — Nov. 16, 2008

Theodore Joseph Bonnarens, 71, passed away peacefully Sunday at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.

Joe was born in Lakeview and raised in Paisley by his dear grandmother Janie Bryan. Joe was a 1955 graduate of Paisley High School. After graduation, Joe joined the United States Air Force, serving as an aircraft mechanic. Following his honorable discharge in 1959, he returned to Lake County.

In 1961, Joe began working for the Oregon Department of Transportation in Lakeview. While in Lakeview, he met, fell in love with and married Frances Stewart on June 20, 1964. In 1966, Joe and Fran moved to Adel, where he worked for 18 years, keeping the snow plowed and the potholes filled on Highway 140 to the Nevada border. An avid outdoorsman, Joe loved Adel and the surrounding Warner Valley. In 1983, Joe moved his family to the west side of Lakeview and began his tenure as supervisor for the ODOT Lakeview Section.

In 1991, Joe survived a massive stroke. Fran established a new home for them both in Lebanon to provide for his recovery and healing. Over the next 17 years, Joe and Fran were a fabulous team, sharing many smiles, occasional tears, and a lot of laughter. In his wheelchair, Joe conquered every obstacle set before him — learning to walk again and even obtaining his driver’s license nine years after his stroke. His weekly schedule included dropping Fran off at work, negotiating the aisles of Wal-Mart, people-watching in the area shopping malls, and convincing Fran to eat out at their favorite Lebanon and Albany restaurants. In addition, he enjoyed traveling, visiting his sons and five grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Fran; son and daughter-in-law Joe and Michelle, grandson Maxwell and granddaughter Emme, all of Forest Grove; son and daughter-in-law Jim and Shannon, and granddaughters Morgan, Jamie and Kyla, all of Cache, Okla.; and stepmother Jo Bonnarens of Madras.

Joe chose not to have a memorial service. A private family ceremony will be at a later date. We ask his many friends to please celebrate the relationship they shared with Joe in their own ways. In lieu of a service, contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1461 Grove St., Lebanon, OR 97355.