Bonnie Benton McKown

McKOWN, Bonnie age 91, December 22, 2025

Born Bonnie Benton Gorman on October 3, 1934 in Battle Creek, MI

Bonnie attended Royal Oak Schools from kindergarten through graduation in 1953. It was there, in Whittier Elementary School, where she met her life long girlfriends Jodi, Marty, Florie, Mausi and Lillianne.

She was very involved in dance; honing her craft at Borgo Sisters School of Dance. Those lessons resulted in many dance performances at Royal Oak High School including a solo of the Mexican Hat Dance, among many others.

Bonnie's first job was at Birmingham Cleaners during her high school years. In later years she was a bookkeeper for Fettes Manufacturing, a successful business that she and her husband, Jim, owned.

Bonnie was the beloved wife of James (Jim) McKown for 73 years come this February. Their relationship started when she was 14 and riding on the handlebars of his bicycle.

The young couple had five children in rapid secession: Jeffrey (Sharon) McKown, John (Roz) McKown, Jean (the late Tony) Camilletti, Julie (Peg) Nathe and the late Jay McKown.

The extremely generous and kind-hearted lady had many talents, hobbies and pastimes. She loved spending time with her family, hanging out with her girlfriends, dancing, listening to music, shopping, sewing, cooking, extensive traveling, bowling, holistic medicine, putting jig saw puzzles together, spending extended time in Fort Myers Beach, reading and solving mysteries with Jessica Fletcher.

She was the proud grandmother of Jared (Francis) McKown, Brett (Lisette) McKown, Keith, Erica (Justin) McCann, Rachelle (Tyler) Wilton, Paul (Ashley) McKown, Jenna (Cam) Camilletti, Tana Nathe, Amy (Kyle) Bouchard, Cody (Erin) Wilcox and Casey (Brandon) Kilcherman.

She was the great grandmother to Evy, Cole, Ellie, Kalen, Gordon, Reed, Wren, Lily, Lilah, Liam, Bea, Greta, Blair, Monty, Braxton, Ellorie and Easton.

A memorial service will take place on January 24th at 11:00am at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. (Shelby Township) 54880 VanDyke at 25 Mile Rd. Friends may gather at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Boys Town is appreciated.