John Charles "Charlie" Bonnette

John Charles "Charlie" Bonnette died Tuesday, September 30, 2014. He was 79 years old. Funeral services will be at St. Mary's of False River Catholic Church, 348 West Main St., New Roads, on Saturday October 4, 2014 . There will be visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m., followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery and a reception at St. Mary's Church Hall. Charlie was born Jan. 16, 1935, in Elmer, La. After graduating from LSU in 1957 and marrying Magda Lieux of New Roads, he entered the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the rank of Colonel 21 years later and accumulating more than 6,300 flight hours as a pilot in both the KC-135 and B-52. He was a respected businessman; former New Roads City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem; former Rotary Club President and beloved member of the New Roads community. He was an active civic leader, serving on several boards and commissions, including the Private Industry Council (Past President), Pointe Coupee Parish Port Commission (Past President), False River Air Park Commission (Chairman), Capital Area United Way Board of Directors, Pointe Coupee Chamber Of Commerce Board, Pointe Coupee Council on Aging (Chairman), Baton Rouge Chapter of Military Officers Association (Board Member), Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and American Legion Post 248. As a proud LSU alumnus, he was a member of the 1953 LSU Baseball Team and a 2001 inductee to the Cadets of the Old War Skule Hall of Honor. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Carmen Smith Bonnette. He is survived by his beloved wife, Magda Lieux; his children, Fran Bonnette Smith Holte and husband Lorie; Charlene; Johnny and his wife Sarah; grandsons Scott Smith, and his wife Ashton, and Tommy Bonnette; and great-grandchildren Lucy and Charlie Smith. Memorial donations may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph at www.csjoseph.org or 216-252-0440 or The Congregation of St Joseph 3430 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111.