Arden Purvis Bonner

Arden Purvis Bonner, Jr. (Purv), age 96, passed away at his home Thursday, June 6, 2019 surrounded by his loving wife Monika, family and friends. Born June 19, 1922 in Marianna, Arkansas to Arden Purvis Bonner, Sr. and Maude Martin Bonner. Purv enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 as Seaman and proudly served his country until he retired in 1963 as Lieutenant Commander. After graduating from Midshipman School at Notre Dame, he was commissioned as Ensign in late 1943. He served on the USS LST 534 from February 1944 to December, 1945. The USS LST 534 was in the first wave in the invasion of Normandy Beach, France in the Second World War. The LST was sunk in Buckner Bay, Okinawa in late 1945 by a Japanese Kamikaze plane. He also served on the USS New Kent, APA 217 as First Lieutenant, the USS Greenwood, DE as Division Officer, the USS Murray, DDE as Gunnery Officer and the USS Shea, DM30 as Executive Officer. He retired from the Navy in May of 1963 when he moved to Florida. Purv's education included Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, Master of Education degree from the University of Florida, Post Graduate works in math and physics from Florida Atlantic University, Stetson University and Texas A & M University. For the next 21 years, he was a dedicated teacher at Lake Sumter Community College, teaching math, physics, and astronomy. He loved teaching most of all, hoping to make a difference in his students' lives. Purv was also a long -time member of St. James Episcopal Church of Leesburg where he served two terms as a member of the Vestry. He so loved his country and church. He always had a song in his heart and a joke to tell. He will certainly be missed. Our lives will never be the same. He is predeceased by his parents, younger brother Stanley and his sister Barbara Ann. Purv is survived by his loving wife Monika(Mona), stepson Rodney and wife Lisa, and his grandson Ty, his nieces Deborah Fosberg Nelson(Jim) and Terry Bonner White(Jim), and his nephew Stephen Fosberg(Linda) and extended family and many friends. A Memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 204 Lee Street, Leesburg, FL 34748 -to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church or Cornerstone Hospice of Lake County. Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Arden Purvis Bonner

June 19, 1922 - June 6, 2019