Bonnie Heintzelman

Bonnie Louise (Diffendarfer) Heintzelman, 97, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at her residence. She was born on March 23, 1925, in Green Center Township, to the late John and Ellen (Claxton) Diffendarfer. She spent her formative years in Green Township, Noble County, and graduated from Albion High School in 1943. She was married to Max Heitzelman on June 16, 1945, at the Albion Methodist Parsonage. He preceded her in death on November 10, 1999. Bonnie and Max settled west of Albion and Wolf Lake after marriage. They moved to Fort Wayne in 1956, and later lived in Duck River, TN and McAlester, Mustang, OK. In 1994, they moved back to Fort Wayne. Bonnie retired from Montgomery Wards after 32 years of service. She later retired from Dollar General Square after 17 years of service. In her free time she enjoyed working in her garden, birdwatching, and crocheting. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jan K. (Elizabeth) Heintzelman; several nieces, nephews, and their families. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Diffendarfer in 1984; a sister, Leona M. Gross in 2008. Funeral services will take place at 12 p.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco Chapel, with calling two hours prior to service. Burial will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. Memorials to Stillwater Hospice and Allen County Cancer Society. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.