OBITUARY: Gloria Ann Bonali

Gloria Ann Bonali of Harrisburg, formerly of Herrin, a retired educator, passed away at 11:52 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at her home in Harrisburg. She was 82 years of age.

Gloria was born on Aug. 30, 1931, in Freeman Spur, the daughter of the late Vincent and Josie (Amati) Bonali. She had lived 33 years in New Paltz, N.Y. Before retiring as Professor Emeritus, she taught at the State University of New York, College at New Paltz, N.Y. She moved to Conway, S.C., upon retirement where she resided for 18 years before moving back to Southern Illinois.

Ms. Bonali was of Roman Catholic faith. She was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church of Harrisburg.

Ms. Bonali was an active advocate for senior citizens working with the South Carolina AARP, the South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature, and the National Silver Haired Congress. She served on several South Carolina state-wide advisory committees including the Governor's Task Force for Home and Community Based Services, the Medicare Beneficiary Liaison Advisory Committee, the Department of Health and Human Services Medical Care Advisory Committee, the Department of Health and Human Services Choices Grant Advisory Committee, the South Carolina Client-Centered Elderly Long Term Care Steering Committee and the South Carolina Silver Card Advisory Board. Locally, she served as a member of the Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, and the Waccamaw AAA Caregiver Support Program Advisory Committee. Gloria was a member of the Ladies Guild of the Catholic Church of Saint James and a graduate of the Leadership Grand Stand XVII.

Her sister, Felicia Hearn of Elmhurst; five nieces; two nephews; five great-nephews; three great-nieces; and one great-great-niece survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Bonali.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Inurnment will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with arrangements.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Harrisburg or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, Ill. 62948.

For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com