Richard F. “Joe” Bonefas, son of William J. and June Teymeyer Bonefas, was born January 14, 1943, at Independence, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He attended school at East Buchanan and graduated from Independence High School in 1961.

            On April 22, 1967, he was united in marriage with Linda Marie Wilson at St. John Catholic Church in Independence. Joe worked for Paul Niemann Construction Company in Sumner from 1968, until he retired in 2011.

            Following a brief illness, his death occurred Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. He was sixty-nine years old and enjoyed playing darts and pool, and spent many hours doing all types of work on his computer.

            Joe is survived by two sons, Richard (Carla) Bonefas of Bangor, Maine and Albert (Karen) Bonefas of Oelwein; two daughters, Rachel Bonefas of Sumner and Angie Paris of Oelwein; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; six brothers, Dan Bonefas of Independence, Bill Bonefas of Texas, Ken Bonefas of Connecticut, Steve Bonefas of Quasqueton, Ed Bonefas of Shenandoah, and Tony Bonefas of Waterloo; and four sisters, Mary Besler of Boone, Wanda Childress and Virginia Doan, both of Independence, and Sue Butler of Ft. Dodge.

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, who died December 31, 1991; his parents; and two brothers, Jim and Paul.

            Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Sumner with Rev. Jim Brokman officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Sumner. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday.