Bonney Shirley

  Bonney Melburn (Mel) Shirley, age 73, died on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Bellingham at St. Joseph PeaceHealth Medical Center. Mel was born on July 23, 1942, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Houston and Hazel Shirley. Mel grew-up with nine brothers and one sister. As an adult, Mel lived in Indiana, where he met and married Marilyn McNeal on Oct. 10, 1964, in Anderson, Indiana.
  Mel was a 40-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Ovid, Indiana, Lodge #164. He was a 32 degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction USA Member of the Valley Indianapolis, Indiana.
  Mel, a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, proudly served his country. Mel retired from the U.S. government as a civil servant, with 32 years of combined time put in.
  Always an active member of his community, Mel volunteered as Boy Scouts of America assistant scoutmaster and Madison Heights High School choir assistant in Anderson; and also with Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation in Carmel, Indiana.
  Following retirement, Mel and Marilyn moved to Lynden in July 2012. Locally, Mel was a member of American Legion Post #86 in Blaine and a life member of Disabled American Veterans Skagit Valley #59.
  Mel is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marilyn; daughter Lora (Jim) Shanahan of Everson; son Mark (Cheryl) of Anderson, Indiana; brothers Elden of Lewiston, Idaho, Karl of Rigby, Idaho, his twin, Donney of Clarkston, Washington, and Ellis of Drummond, Idaho; sister Sonnie of Craig, Alaska; five grandchildren: Amber, Ashley, Cory, Erica and Victoria; and three great-grandchildren: April, Noah and Chloe.
  He was preceded in death by his father, Houston; mother Hazel; brothers Darrell, Verle, Allen, Merle and Curtis; and one grandson, Ryan James Shanahan.
  Private family services will be held with Masonic Rites, full military honors and the Patriot Guard.
  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salvation Army of Whatcom County, the Christmas Angel Tree Program, P.O. Box 5036, Bellingham WA 98227.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation of Lynden.