James J. Bonin

Arnaudville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m., on Friday, February 20, 2009, at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville, for James J. "Jim" Bonin, 90, who passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at Acadia-St. Landry Hospital in Church Point. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. Msgr. Bob Angelle will officiate at the funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Cori Lanclos and Kari Madsen. His great grandchildren will serve as gift bearers. Mr. Bonin was a veteran of World War II having honorably served his country in the United States Army. He was inducted on November 28, 1942 and was honorably discharged on May 24, 1946 with an attained rank of Sergeant. During his enlistment he served in the campaigns in France and Germany and was a Prisoner of War from December 19, 1944 until March 27, 1945. Sergeant Bonin was awarded numerous medals, including, E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal, with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Jim, as he was better known to his family and friends, was a member of the Arnaudville V.F.W. and the N.R.A. He was parishioner of St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church where he was a member of the Altar Society. An avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed skeet shooting and hunting. Survivors include his four daughters, Kathleen Breaux, of Arnaudville, Sandra Lanclos and her husband, Larry, of Pecaniere, Frances Stelly, of Woodstock, GA, and Lillian Bonin, of Arnaudville; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Louise Mistrot Bonin; his parents, Voress and Lilly Amy Bonin; two brothers, Voorhies and Cesaire Bonin; a sister, Zulmae "Mim" Breaux; and a son-in-law, R.H. "Bubba" Breaux. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 7 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday. A rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. on Friday. Pallbearers will be Jody Breaux, Kirk Breaux, Reggie Breaux, Larry "Scooter" Lanclos, David Stelly, Jr., Perry Bonin, Ray Lavergne, and Larry Lanclos, Sr. Pellerin Funeral Home of Arnaudville is in charge of arrangements.