Final Salute

Robert E. Bonter, “Bob”, age 56, of Mackinaw City, passed peacefully at
home on Saturday August 29, 2020 with his family at his side. The son of
Robert and Karen (Bauers) Bonter, Bob was born in Petoskey on
September 20, 1963.

A longtime resident of Mackinaw City, Bob was a 1982 graduate of
Mackinaw City High School and went on to enlist in the United States Navy.
Very patriotic, Bob served with the United States Naval Construction
Battalion, better known as the Navy Seabees, from 1982 until his honorable
discharge in 1989 . He eventually returned home to Mackinaw City where
he served as commander of American Legion Post #159 and worked until
recently as a boat mechanic for Shepler’s Ferry.

Fun-loving and well-liked, Bob had a great sense of humor and was always
the life of the party. He loved joking around and was known for playing
funny pranks on his family and friends. Most important in Bob’s life was his
family. He loved camping with his family, family gatherings for holidays,
weddings, and birthdays, and all the good times shared at “Snob Hill”.
Together, Bob and his family enjoyed vacations to Las Vegas, Georgia,
and South Carolina. He loved kids, especially, his grandchildren and nieces
and nephews and had a tender place in his heart for animals.
Bob will be remembered for his patriotism and love of his country, for his
friendly, cheerful way and his wonderful smile, but most of all for his love
and devotion to his family.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Rachel (Daniel) Wilson of Warren,
Heather(Phil) Gilman of Pellston, and Samantha Bonter of Lima, Ohio;
step-daughters, Courtney (Ryan) Koch of Monaca, Pennsylvania and
Alyssa (Curt) Beebe of Shepherd; 16 grandchildren; and his mother and
step-father, Karen and Michael Krueger of Mackinaw City. Bob also leaves
his sisters, Dana Wenger and Heidi (Todd) Cooper, both of Mackinaw City
and his nieces and nephews, Brianna Cleland and Gavin Wenger, both of
Cheboygan and Haeleigh and Holden Cooper, both of Mackinaw City; as
well as his faithful companions, his dog, Bleu, and Smoke the cat.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert W. Bonter; brother, Kevin
Bonter; and the best dog ever, Diesel.

A graveside service and military honors by the Cheboygan Chapter of the
Vietnam Veterans will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City on
Saturday September 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM. Pastor David Wallis will officiate.
A celebration of life will follow at Todd and Heidi Cooper’s “Snob Hill”, 1456
Central Ave., Mackinaw City. Those planning an expression of sympathy
please consider a donation in memory of Bob to American Legion Post
#159, 106 S. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 or to Cheboygan
County Humane Society, 1536 Hackleburg Rd., Cheboygan, MI 49721.
Cremation arrangements were in care of Chagnon Funeral Home.

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