Gary Bonjour 1951 – 2008

I’m happy to hear that things worked out so well yesterday. And how nice that you were able to sample the crazy weather we’ve been having out here this week. I woke up late on Monday and as I stepped out the door I though “I know I slept in, but I didn’t know I slept in until March!”
Anyway, the family and I are keeping you in our prayers. God bless!

Sounds like all things are “go” Gary, We are praying for you, Patty, and family. Our God is a gracious God and we know all things will work for the best.

God Bless,
Bill and Nancy

Patty, relay the message to Bone that we’re pulling for him and say prayers every day and
we need him back here soon. Anita – West Carroll H.S.

Hi Gary….hang in there. I’m really praying for you. I believe in god and should probably pray every day…know that I have prayed more with you getting sick. I admire your courage, strength, and your illness has led me to my knees to pray for you because it seems like bad things always happen to those who are the nicest to others! God bless Gary and know you are thought of. Love, Mary

Gary, I have been praying for you, take it 1 day at a time and keep your spirits up!

Gary,
I’m glad to see that things are progressing and that the Doc’s are pleased with your progress. I’m sure you’ll be glad to get back home and I hope it’s soon. All the best…Dana.

Gary, good to read you are doing better as the days move by. Buddy keep getting better spring is just around the corner and there are walleyes, bass, bluegils, and crappies with your name on them. I believe there is a Albany trip on the horizon. Take care and God bless you and your family. Thoughts and Prayer, Eddie and Doug

Monday night in Massbach and 7 to 9 inches of fresh snow! I’m too old for this…Let’s plan on some ice tea and telling some stories while sitting on the front porch. Looking forward to you coming home soon.
You are loved!
Massbach

Patty,

Mom is spending some time here with us (in Indiana) and we check up on you and Gary each day on this website. We are gripped by the depths of suffering that you are all in the middle of and we are praying that God will pour his peace over you and his arm of healing will hold Gary, raising him up to better days.

We know that God is right there beside you and we are too, in our hearts.

Jenifer

Come on Gary! Pee!
Billy B

Hi Gary,
Becky and I are here reading all the latest that has happened to you. Lots! Many prayers to you and yours. We think of you often. Your Mom just sent me a nice letter so am keeping up there too.
Many prayers, lots of love. Your cuz Barbie, and Becky

Hi Gary,

Congrats Grandpa!I check in on you as much as I can, Laura is kind enough to keep us informed at work. I am recruiting for fosterparents and adoptive parents now in 9 counties so I am on the go alot. Know that you are always thought of and I say a prayer for you every night. Take care buddy and keep up the good fight! Love ya Gary! Hurry back to work….We miss you @ LSSI and I heard the kids are getting out of hand in the Carroll County area due to your absence. (ha-ha)Just kidding…We do miss you though! God Speed. Mary

I am going to get in trouble for checking this site so much at work! Thanks for keeping us all so updated!
-Beth

Gary looks like you’re finally coming ’round the bend, buddy. If I could I give ya a big hug right now, I would. Thanks for hangin in there. I’m lookin forward to a fishin trip this summer…as more snow falls…….Continue the recovery process. You’re in my prayers.

Praying for you both. I read your blog everyday.
Aunt Ellen

Hey, Gary,
Have been thinking about you and praying for you.Then I remembered I had your email. Sure hope all the meidcations, etc. are working for you. You’re missed. I missthose chats we had about all those intereating kids. Take care.
Marla Nesmith, EMS

Hope your doing well today! Our area is shut down due to snow. We were told yesterday we could get 20 inches!! It is falling at about an inch an hour here. We will send it your way, might be pretty to watch out your big window!
Keep on truckin!
<Beth
Romans 5:1-5
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Praise God for the good news! We’ve been going to your web sight often every day and praying for the whole Bonjour family! Keep up the good fight Gary. We love you!
Massbach has 15 new inches of snow today. It’s impossible to walk through.
See you soon!
Bill and Sue

Laying on a marble. Sounds like the princess and the pea!
I am sending pictures to Alicia of the recent snow storm and some rather lovely pictures of the area. Just so you can get a taste of home.
Much Love.
-Beth

Gary,
Just great to be reading better news on each posting! Let me know when your up to planning this summers camping trip. Say hi to that unemployeed brother of yers…I don’t care what other people say about him, he’s been great support for you. Yup.Ben

Hey Cousin!
So glad to hear you’re out of the ICU! After tracking the events of the last few weeks on a daily basis, I am reminded just how much we all take for granted. Just to be able to walk, swallow or even take a deap breath. Everything we have or are able to do in this world is a precious gift. Your courage though all this has been an inspiration to me. God Bless!

Hey Gary! Great to hear you’re out of ICU! You’ve missed out on a wonderful snowstorm. Spent all day yesterday digging out of 13 inches on my driveway and then digging out my pickup that the snow removal guys down at the school decided to bury up to my windows. It’s Friday afternoon and no one has cleared the church yet. I parked on the street and waded in up to my knees. More is coming tonight and tomorrow. I hope it’s cleared by Sunday morning Friends Day.
The Game Feast was good. Four men to follow up on.
Eat your cookies and join us soon.
Mike Meyer

Two eagles overhead in Massbach today looking for you! Come on home!

Just received a card from Susie in the mail. She gave us your website. Didn’t know about it so now we’ll join in as well so you can know we’re thinking of YOU! Everything in Utah is just cold and lots of snow, snow, snow. Probably pretty similar to Illinois. We have been busy as ever working away. Delta in Salt Lake City won the pretigious “Triple Crown Award” which is a safety award. We didn’t have any aircraft damages, a very low number of on the job injuries, and the best on-time record for one month of all the airports in the US. So we had “box lunches” for everyone on Wednesday. We had 500 for the day shift and 300 for the evening shift. That was quite a day – pretty long! It looks like Delta Air Lines may be going to merge. It is all over the news but don’t know anything really until it happens. The employees will probably know and then the media will know and report on it an hour later. We love you and know that we are praying for you Gary. All our love to you too Patty. :)

Praise God!
No Drugs!
Practice your swallow now…
You are loved!

Hi Gary: I keep following your progress (the good and not-so-good news). Keep going forward and before you know, you will be back in Savanna where you belong. Take care and keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

Kathy

Swallow Gary Swallow!

Roses are red,
Stuck there is the dregs;
So take a chance,
And order the scrambled eggs!

Get Better Gary! I am Working for Bill Briggs & want you to know I care!

Ya Gary!! 90 steps! We are rooting for you! We love you and are praying a LOT! Dianah

Roses are red,
Try to eat a prune;
It’s storming in Iowa,
I’ll be there Monday noon!

Hey Cousin!
I am greatly relieved and encouraged by the progress you’ve been making. Keep up the good work! I want to give a special thanks to Patty and also Alicia and your big brother for keeping us all so well informed through this web site. I know it hasn’t always easy, especially when the news wasn’t so good, but it has been much appreciated and has helped us all focus our prayer requests. Looking forward to being able to visit you at home in the not to distant future. All my best!

Your cousin;
Paul

Gary and Patty, hang tuff, we can not wait to see you’s back at the homested. Very Much Looking forward to again setting around the camp fire eating fish, drinking pepsi, and eating strawberry’s. Our love and Prayers to you Both.
Eddie & Doug Grobe

Gary
Though I can’t match Bill’s prolific lyricism I’m rooting for you down here in Lone Star Land, so have a bite, don’t make it lite, you’ll be home in a fortnight!
Best,
J

Hello Gary, I was thrilled to see your moving.. Your next move will be home, if you do what your supposed to do!!! You have several towns praying for you the good Lord has to hear all of us! We need you back at school, so do what they tell you, eat what you can and get back here. Nick just asked about you last night. Take care and hurry home. Everyone misses you.
With Love and Prayers, Bootsie

Hey, Hey, Hey!

SO glad to hear how well you’re doing and how far you’ve come.

Way to go, Gary! God bless you and your family.

I am so excited to hear you are doing well! Come home soon and save us from Bill’s poetry!
-Beth

I am a fan of Gary
Who is no longer hairy
He is one of a kind
Who was never behind
In his count of his fish
That would fill up his dish

Gary has many a friend
Of which there is no end
For now we must say
To Gary today
Get up and keep walking
Soon we will be talking

We friends are most proud
That God has allowed
For us to remember
Gary in September
On the Mississippi banks
With a great deal of thanks
For Gary is healing
And we all are feeling
The power of our Lord
Who we know has restored
Our good friend Gary
Who will some day be hairy
We all sure love Gary

Gary and Patty…read to the end. Have fun with this…contemplate on whatever helps. I wonder if anyone else out there has ideas for you other than to tell me to stop writing!
Just thinking of you…

An Angel says, “Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.”
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus .”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus .”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
(Romans 8:31)

To a Man long well known
As a Rock of the Earth
So Steady and strong
Set right from your birth

Now challenges flare
And suffering upon you
Not easy to bear
Such burden and stress

Sooooo . . . I’m wont to express
One thing that is true:
No matter how tough
Its not tougher than you.

Keep taking the challenge
One day at a time
Like the beat of your drum
Hold His power in Mind.

Your kin call you back
To the stead of your home
Now and tomorrow, you’re never alone
You’ve so much to give
To all whom you’ve known
They’re calling you back -
Gary Come Home.

How are you feeling and I hope to see you soon. from Casey

Gary,
Spoke to many in church today all of whom were interested in your well being. I think Leslie said she had a poem in mind…we’ll see. Sandi might come home from her father’s tomorrow, Monday, thier son Jerimiah is still sick.
All are praying for you.

Hey…You are loved.

Hey Gary -

Its work to make it right
But your goal is well in sight
So morning, noon and night
Have a bite, have a bite, have a bite!

Randy,
Tell him to what we used to do when we were little, hold our noses while we ate the yicky stuff!
Either that or play airplane…I vote the close pin on the nose!
Come on Gary!
-Beth

Randy, This is the time to activate the taste buds. Jump starting with jalapeno peppers is the answer. Oh yes, first coat the stomach lining with ???? After eating a few of those, Gary’s taste buds will think everything is tastier.

Gary: Happy leap day!!! One extra day for you to practice swallowing and eating. I know if I had to eat a hard boiled egg I would not find it very tasty either. Thanks to Patti, Randy and Alicia for keeping us informed on your progress. I try and check in a couple times a week. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Will try and see you this summer when I’m in Savanna. Take care and follow everyone’s advice so you can get home soon. God speed.
Kathy

Patty,
What can we do for you and Gary in addition to prayer?

Patty and Gary,
Prayers of confort and strength to you two. Patty is there anything Eddie and I can do for you two? If there is Patty just name it. Send us a e-mail or call. I pray today for a nice sunny up lifting day for you tommorrow. Hope to see you both home real soon and maybe with your home coming spring will show up too. That sure would be great.
God Bless You Two,
Doug & Eddie

Randy…smuggle this to Gary…….

High in Protein Chia seed is a complete source of dietary protein, providing all the essential amino acids. Compared to other seeds and grains, chia seed provides the highest source of protein, between 19 to 23 percent protein by weight. One of the unique qualities of the chia seed is its ability to absorb more than nine times its volume in water or other liquid. This ability can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids, especially during exertion or exercise. Normal fluid retention ensures electrolyte dispersion across cell membranes, maintains fluid balances, and aids normal cellular function.

Source of Fiber

Chia seed produces a thick mucilage in water, absorbing up to 30 times its weight in water. This soluble fiber cleans the intestines by binging and transporting debris from the intestinal walls so that it can be eliminated efficiently and regularly. A daily dose of chia seed provides an excellent fiber source and most people notice a different in less than a week.

Energy/Antioxidants and no Gluten

Chia contains the usual Vitamin C, ferulates and Vitamin E but the real secret is the Cinnamic acids that guard the omega-3 oils from oxidation. This is why chia is a stable product for years! With no gluten, virtually no sodium, nor reported allergic reactions, grown without pesticides or toxicants. Chia has a high energy to weight ratio (more than wheat, corn, rice or oats) that makes it a favorite choice of long distance runners and other athletics .

Good news! I am so glad to hear the great reports. Call, email, or text if you need anything in preparation of Gary coming home.
*Pray, Pray, Pray!*
-Beth

Wow! It was wonderful reading the progress that’s taken place since last Sunday. We’re happy for you, Gary! We look forward to hearing that you are back home, enjoying the robins! God bless you and Patty.
Love, Aunt Esther and Terri

Happy Birthday, Gary!! I tried the hospital mail site but it is stuck. You have a whole month to celebrate your birthday (at least that’s the tradition here in Texas) so there’s plenty of time to celebrate when you get home. Have somebody sing to you from us, O.K.? Glad that the news keeps getting bettr and better.
Know how much we love you.

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Gary,
Happy Birthday to you :):)
God bless you today and every day.
Love,
Doug and Pat

Hey, Gary, you old buzzard! 57!! Man that’s old. You are way older than me. Why, you’re 361 days older. I feel real young now. Hope you get feeling better real soon. Those Illinois worms need drownin’. Praying for you and the family.
Curt & Marla

No Myloma is AMAZING NEWS! :) So excited! I will keep praying on the rest of it!
-Beth

Oh yeah, I forgot

Happy birthday Brother! We 3/12 boys have to stick together

charly

Gary, I heard that you’ve just celebrated another birthday. Yeah! Sending you sunshine on yet another gloomy day (but the snow is almost gone). Spring will be here this week!
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deb Gallentine

We continue to pray! We hope things can get turned around, and Gary can be on the complete road to recovery!

Love- Bill, Terri, & Aunt Esther

Dear Gary,

You know I have personally shared with you that I have prayed for people but never been much of a church goer. I want you to know that my husband and were introduced to Grace Episcopal Church in Sterling. We have been going to a group on Wednesday nights are are studying “The Prayer of Jabez”. We have also been going to church on Sundays for the past two months. Now I know what we have been missing all these years! I know how strong your faith is and how much you love your “church family”. I say a prayer for you and your family every day! I have put you on OUR prayer list at Grace Church. Because of the kindness in your heart and your character, I know YOU always pray for and are concerned for others. I know it may feel selfish but in our class we have learned that God wants us to prayer for ourselves! He is our father and you need to pray for you this time Gary!!!! On a personal note, I think because of your health I am even more driven to find that same relationship you have with God and please remember that I have kept you and your family in my prayers! God Speed. Love you Gary…your pal, Mary

Thanks Patty for keeping us all in touch. Tell Gary hello from Savanna Bible Church. He is loved!

ALRIGHT!!! Let’s get him home! I know Sarah said she is going to be out at your house for a while when Gary comes home, I also know that she has to work, so if you would like or if needed I can come over when she is at work, or for that matter when ever you need! Being at home all the time I can be there when ever you need, Sarah has my number USE IT. Know that I’m here as well as my family. Can’t wait to see you home again. Get better.

Gary & Patty,

We’ll be praying for the infection to be cured and for you to be able to go home to recuperate.

Curt & Marla

Have a Blessed Easter! He is risen indeed!

Go Gary Go
Go Gary Go
Go Gary Go
Go Gary Go
Now come home.

Gary, You have got to stop letting the doctors treat you as a yo-yo. Bouncing you all over the place. Easing out the line and then pulling you back in. Break the string and head for home. There are lots of us who would cover your tracks so the Dr.(s) couldn’t get their hands on you again. (I was going to compare you to musical chairs but Ward and Janell beat me to it.) We got to spend some time with the grandchildren, Savanna and Kipp Jr., and they are as different as night and day. I know you are both looking forward to your first little one like we were. Love and prayers continue for you both, Russ and Joan

Thanks Randy for your updates and for being there for Gary. Would visits from some friends be helpful? How do we know?

Hi Gary:

Hang in there! I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Take care!

Tammy Nehrkorn

Gary,
Savann Bible Church annual meeting is this weekend. We are saving your page in the written report as Chairman of the Board for when you return. So we’re looking forward to your leadership and we look forward to hearing you read your report. Get ready!

Gary & Patty:
I know that everyone at home is thinking and praying for you. Keep up the good fight! And eat! Sounds like PT is picking up and that should help build back some strength. Prayers are still coming your way!
Mary

Hi Gary: Remember our DCFS days. Just talked to Pastor Moe ( who is now our pastor in Rock Falls). Putting you on our prayer list. Sharing this information with Florence Pennington, too. We are all praying for you . Will keep up on your progress to share with others.

Congrats on coming back to the good side of the River!

Hey Gary glad to hear you’re moving closer to home thiat means I’ll be able to stop by and pester you more. And push you along to get better too…….Love you and praying for you

Gary & Patty:
We’re so glad to hear you are closer to ‘home.’ Keep improving and taking it one day at a time. Sounds like your mom and dad’s visit to Chicago was good medicine for everyone! We will continue praying. John & Mary

Gary,
So glad to read the recent report! Yeah! My thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Keep up the hard work with your PT. It will be worth it.
Positive Thoughts & Wishes,
Deb

You continue to be in our prayers. We were glad that Tim was able to get over to see you, and we trust that you will enjoy many other visitors now that you are closer to Savanna.
Love,
Aunt Esther, Terri, and Bill

Good to see you the other night. Thanks for letting us do part of our Church Board meeting in your room. Next time we all come we are going to bring a favorite food from each of us for you to sample…
Love you!
Bill

I think spring is waiting for you, Gary. The grass is turning green and buds are on the trees but no farmers in the field and no flowers blooming yet. Our snow crocuses are up but no blooms. Have seen some robins getting some big night crawlers out of the ground and we have had our lakeside home due to the Plum River being out of its banks but spring is still slowly finding its way here. We will be seeing Kipp, Laura and Kipp Jr this weekend. You are going to love being a grandpa. It’s the best. In closing the song says….” and step by step He’ll lead me all the days of my life” Take those steps as the Lord leads. Joan

Garry, I am sorry to hear that you are not very happy right now. I wish you would think about all the fun times we had in youth group and Sunday School. Please remember those times so you can get better and come home. I am glad that you are closer to us now. Remember that your God is a God of love and laughter, even through the pain. Remember Job and all his struggles, and yet God restored him tenfold. I love you and am praying for you.
Emily

Gary,
I’ll come over and help you plant your sweet corn. What else do you want in your garden?
The gold fish lived through the winter and are swimming around eating bread crums. We had at least six very large dead frogs on the bottom of the pond. Why?
So…let’s get started. You tell me what to do.
Love you!
Bill

Hi. It appears on the website that some people have visited you Gary. Can you have visitors? Your LSSI family would love to come and visit you Gary! Please let someone at the LSSI sterling office know as we talked about getting a van and packing a bunch of us in to come see you….please let us know when you feel up for some company, we want to see you! We miss you and love you! Your pal, Mary

Hi Patty,
Thank you for the updates. Gary, PLEASE DON’T GIVE UP!KEEP FIGHTING so you can get out of that hospital! You are missed by everyone! Know that you are in my daily prayers! You have many friends who may not see you as often as we would hope to but who always have you close to our hearts and you are always on our minds! It was so warm today and I got red mowing the lawn. I remember when we took the kids on summer activities to the pool you would wear your big floppy hat and scolded me about being in the sun! I hope you come home soon and that you have brighter days ahead! Love ya Gary, Mary

well, there is always books to read and the internet to browse. Plus the radio and the news, and of course friends and family will be there to visit him. And a grandbaby to prepare for! He could re-read parenting books. lol :-) Tell them no to worry that he will probably just enjoy sitting outside and soaking up the sun and nature for the first time in months. Can’t wait to see you again.
Emily and Jeff

Oh my word! That is the best news I have heard in awhile!!! PTL PTL PTL!!!!

Hi Gary & Patty,

I am soooo happy! “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God, Free at last of that hospital!!!! Maybe now being home and sitting in your yard, hearing the birds, crickets, all of natures creations you will be back in your territory and get your piece of mind!!! We love you and can’t wait until you can have visitors at home! I’ve never had a better reason to come to Carroll County! Welcome home Gary! Much Love, Mary

Hi Gary
Bocker & I were talking last week and as soon as you are up for visitors a bunch of your LSSI family would love to come see you! Glad you could finally be home to sit on your porch and hear the birds sing…Patty, if you need any type of help please let us know and I am happy to spread the word! Love your LSSI Family & Mary Shull

Hi, Gary and Family!
I hope all is well with you and you are keeping up with your “homework”. I read your posts and it sounds like you are doing well. Glad to hear the walking is getting easier. I think of you and wish for you continued recovery.
Good luck and keep working!
Your friend,
Sarah from Physical Therapy

I’m so glad to hear Gary is going well. I can’t wait to see him when I’m home which will be very soon. :D

Gary,
It is great that you are home. Find strength and peace in the nature as you grow stronger. “In the depth of winter, I finnaly learned that there was in me an an invincible summer.” You have discovered that summer.
Healthy wishes!
Tara

Hey Gary,

Great to hear you are up and about and making progress! I am sure you are so happy to finally be home! I took today off and planted some flowers in my yard, love getting hands in the dirt! Everyone wishes you well! Still in my thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you soon! :) Mary

God Bless you, Gary and his family. You have been in my prayers and will continue to be through this difficult time. All of Gary’s colleagues at LSSI are better in so many ways for knowing him.

Dear Gary and Family,
I am praying for you Gary. I love you brother! I am reminded of Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
Vicki, Noah, Chloe and I will be praying for you all.

Chris Simcox

Hello to Gary and his family. I had the biggest crush on Gary back in Kindergarten. It makes me smile when I think about it. Sorry I haven’t kept in touch.

Patty and family,
A very sad day for all of us. Gary was a special guy. Hard to type as all choked up…I will miss my friend.
love.Ben

Mr. Gary, it hit me just now that I will have to wait til I go to my heavenly home to see you again. This will not be easy on your family because I feel you have made me a part of your family, and as a part of your family I already miss you greatly. You taught me christianity with compassion and patience. You have touched me in way that will last the rest of my days. Love Casey

Dear Patty and family, our hearts and prayers go out to you during this time. What an inspiration Gary was, a true role model. Love and prayers from Dallas, TX. Your cousin, Stacey

Dear Patty & family:
I am distressed to hear of Gary’s passing. Barb & I have followed the E-Mail and prayed for Gary as have others here. We will continue to remember you in ay way that we can.
Ivan

I met gary as a troubled youth that felt the world was against me. I had been let down so much by the men in my life I had no trust for any. Then I met Gary someone who truely cared about being true, sincere, and caring. There were no bad motives. I have always respected him so much and am so gratefull to have had him in my troubled times to help walk me through them. He was a wonderful man that I will miss and wish I could have told him how much he ment to me while he was here. Gary made his life making a differnce in other people’s. He really made a difference in mine. Thank you Gary

Dearest Bonjour Family, Thank you for sharing Gary with all of us so generously over the years. While the memories will help, he was one of kind and the world is a less-kind place without him. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know we loved him. Ron and Freddie Preston

Sorry to hear the news. I knew Gary from the Thomson School. He was one of the finest men I have ever met. My thoughts are with your family.

I’m praying for peace and comfort today for the Bonjour family. As I read some of the posted notes, I realized what a kind and Godly man Gary was here on earth. PTL for the opportunity to meet Gary in eternity! God’s blessings to you all!

You will be sadly missed.I know you made a difference in many lives.I know you are in a better place.Patty keep in there for your children now they need you the most.

Dear Patty, Alicia, Sarah, Ray & Zach.
I am sorry that I had to meet you after all of my years working with Gary, under these circumstances. Gary’s funeral was really beautiful. Thank you for allowing all of us to share this moment with you and to let us show you how much he was loved. The toughest times are ahead of you, wishing he was physically here to see the new grandbaby, holidays, but after today, I see even more clearly that he indeed will be with you in spirit!As I shared, LSSI is going to have Gary on the newsletter to celebrate his life and remember his dedication to our agency. We felt he should be honored in such a manner even though his own satisfaction alone came from working with his LSSI friends & the families he served the past 26 years. I will search for my pictures of our summer trips with the kids. We had many funny pictures! I am sure you would like to show them to your grandchildren someday! He truly was an inspiration to many! God Bless and much love. Mary Sue Shull

It’s really tough for all of us to loose Gary, but we all know that he is in a better place now. Growing up together through grade school and high school we were the best of friends. During grade school we spent as much time together as possible camping, fishing and plinking with our BB guns. Gary always had fishing stories to tell me of the trips that Jean and Glen took Randy and him on to Tomahawk, Wisconsin. It was one of Gary’s favorite spots and the walleye fishing was always great there. Being a great fisherman, he was always trying to teach me how to fish, but never succeeded. Once, while camping out in the back yard, we got up before sun up to go fishing on Bimm’s lake. We wheeled my little 10’ flat boat down there on a little two wheel cart along with all of the tackle that Gary thought we needed. We didn’t catch a thing but had a great time anyway just being together on the water. He had a great laugh at my expense when we decided to push through a little creek that used to connect to Plum River on the back side of the lake. As I was standing up at the back of the boat working it under a low limb, I lost my balance and went backward, head first into that shallow creek as Gary went flying in the boat out into Plum River. He almost fell out of the boat laughing. In high school, we were into re-loading our shotgun shells and did lots of hunting and trap shooting with Randy, Ben Withhart, and Calvin Lego. We were always experimenting with different loads and wad combinations, even a few black powder loads to have fun with while shooting trap. Gary tried to teach me how to hunt ducks one time just north of Riverview before it was turned into a preserve. We waded way out into the lily pads with our shot guns to wait for teal to fly over. Gary gave me a few instructions before the first one flew in and I carefully took the first shot. Unfortunately I had mistakenly left out the powder from the load and the primer only had enough power for the shot to clear the barrel, landing it about 10’ in front of us in the water. I could have thrown it farther. Again, Gary had a great laugh and couldn’t wait to tell all of our friends about my first duck hunting trip. Since then, I’ve never brought home a duck. As we grew older and left high school, we didn’t see that much of each other due to miles. I headed for SIU in Carbondale and he headed for Freeport and later Winona, MN for school. Later he came to live in Carbondale to work for a security company as a guard, occasionally working at the same JCPenney store that I worked at in the auto center. Once while there, he set me up on a blind date with a girl that worked at the store as a cashier. He didn’t tell her who I was but pointed her out to me so that I would have a heads up. I went through her line three times that day, buying a few odd things just to see what she was like. She saw me taking to Gary by the front doors of the store and later told him that she would rather go out with me than the looser that he had set her up with in the blind date, not knowing that I was the guy. To her surprise, I picked her up for the date and eventually we were married within the year. Thirty five year later, Regina and I still have Gary to thank for introducing us. He was a friend to everyone that he met and will be missed by all.
Just one of his great friends,
Dana

Dear Patty and family,

Words can not express the sorrow in my heart. I enjoyed working with Gary and he will greatly missed. The lessons he taught others will carry on for generations to come. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.

Sincerely,
Kari Schmidt

Sorry to all of Gary, family,& friends,It’s been a long time but I guess no one knew were I move too. I think u now I divorce Linda that Andrew, mother then did it again but didn’t work out. So i am very happy now and single my Son was in the U.S.A.F. for about 6 to 8 years he made Staff Sgt. Like u help me one time when Linda broke up (LIFE DOES MOVE ON AND YOU TAKE IT AND BE HAPPY AS YOU CAN BE) But life goes no after also i have seen it when i was in the hospital with my heart attack they had see shock me 3 times and i seen them do it from above it may sound funny but. I believe in god and now and after. To Gary i now u can see this and I hope u can see what I mean in it ok I may see u soon but i hope later because U are looking down on all of use that love you ( MY FRIEND AND DISTANCE COUSIN RODNEY) For the ones that don’t now me I am Alvin son. But now i live up in Wisconsin a little Village call Cazenovia, about 25 miles from Richland Center. My friend Gus Leavens told me about this. God blessall of use