Carmi Times Mon Aug 17, 2009, Carmi, Ill. - Bonnie O. Dennis, 78, of Carmi and formerly of Herald, went to meet the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 at Wabash Christian Retirement Center. Her loving family was at her side. Bonnie was born May 28, 1931, in Oilton, Okla., the daughter of Elroy and Odessa Bevel, both of whom preceded her. She married James R. "Benny" Dennis on June 22, 1947, in a double ceremony with lifelong friends, Betty and Clinton Clark of rural Carmi. Benny and Bonnie were lifetime owner and operators of several service stations and restaurants in Carmi, serving the community and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. Benny would do the cashier and public relations and Bonnie the cooking and the hiring and firing (alongside sons Barry and Tony). Benny preceded her in death on July 28, 1994. She attended local churches in Carmi - Mercy Gate and World Harvest Christian Center. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Gloria Dennis of Herald, and Tony and Stephanie Dennis of Carmi; two sisters, Diane Stanhope of Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Marsha Pritchard of McLeansboro; four precious grandsons, Benjamin Dennis, Brock Dennis, Keegan Dennis and Matthew Broom; four precious granddaughters, Tiffany (nee Dennis) Porter, Shelda (nee Dennis) Noto, Jennifer McCormick and Kathleen A. Buchanan; 11 great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and her loving dogs at home, Sassy, Albert and Baby. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, at Stendeback Family Funeral Home/Kittinger-Fair in Carmi. Friends and family shared and visited from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 in the funeral home chapel. Pianist Belva May opened the service with a hymn, followed by the Rev. Debbie Dolan leading the congregation in prayer. Members of Bonnie's family then shared memories of her with those who attended. The Mitchell Family performed "Shout To The Lord" and "How Great Is Our God." Pastor Stephen Norris then read from scripture, and the Rev. G. Frank May delivered the sermon and closing prayer. The service ended with "I Can Only Imagine" by The Mitchell Family and the piano playing of Belva May. Stephen Porter, Bob Dolan, Benjamin Dennis, Brock Dennis, Keegan Dennis and Matthew Broom served as pallbearers at White County Memorial Garden, where Bonnie was buried. Donations may be made to Feed The Children and will be accepted at The Coffee Shop as well as the funeral home. Condolences may be left on-line by visiting www.kittinger-fairfuneralhome.com.