Obituary of Geraldine Joy Bonter

 Geraldine Joy Bonter “Geri”, formerly of Midland, died Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the age of 95.  Geri was born in Flint, Michigan on February 12, 1929, the daughter of Ralph Fobert and Florence (Craft/Fobert) Valentine.  Geri married Tye D Bonter, also of Flint, on June 27, 1946, and established their home in Midland, where they raised four children.

Geri worked as the Deputy Circuit Court Clerk in Midland County for 22 years (1961-1983) where she was fondly referred to as “Mother Superior,” proudly served under Clerks Ben Penner, Mike Hayes and Jeff Porter, as well as multiple judges, and made many lifelong friends.

After retiring, Geri and Tye moved to Mackinaw City, later made their home in Wickenburg, Arizona, and eventually returned to Michigan.  Geri was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with local memberships in Wickenburg, Arizona, and Cheboygan, Saginaw, Central Lake, Midland, Cadillac, and Cedar Lake, Michigan.  She served as a Sabbath School teacher, deaconess, and Community Service volunteer.

Geri enjoyed her family!  She established an annual, extended family (and friends) Christmas gathering that continued for over 30 years; attended countless sporting events, graduations, weddings, and other special family events; and enjoyed many Bonter family reunions at Camp Torenta in Cadillac, where she made countless batches of her much-loved fried cakes.

Geri was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.  She is survived by her brother Tom (Sandra) Valentine and sister Mary Ann (James) Fox; children, Dawn (Patrick) Briggs, Janet (Jack) Garner, David Bonter, and Susan (Gene) Fass; 14 grandchildren, Patrick (Kim) Briggs, Brian (Carmen) Briggs, Tom Garner, Shari (Eric) O’Boyle, Kari (Maria) Garner, Michael Garner, Janeil (David) DiVita, Jennifer (Steve) Doyle, Emilee Bonter, Lori (Framo) Rimoni, Heather Bergmann, Scott Draves, Jeremy Draves, Matthew (Shelly) Draves; 31 great-grandchildren, Taylor (Phil), Patrick, Morgan, Preston, Carson, Steel (Hannah), Stryker (Maddy), Brandon, Zachary, Alyssa (Ryan), Jacob, Tyson, Jada, Gianni, Gabriella, Kayla, Lauren, Mackenzie, Kristina (Joe), Justin (Mercedes), Braden (Hannah), Ryleigh, Dylan, Joshua (Cheyenne), Alexa (Matthew), Sage, Sarah, Jorja, Jackson, Owen, and Sophia; and 8 great-great-grandchildren, Theodore, George, Grayson, Ila, Rowan, Josephine, Ira, and Harvey.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, her parents, her sister Reva Samson, and great-grandsons Ryan Rimoni and Tye Bergmann.  No services are planned at this time.  To sign online guestbook visit, www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

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