ELKHART -- Bonita J. Searles, 81, of Elkhart, died at 1:17 p.m. Monday (Nov. 9, 2009) in Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born June 16, 1928, in Chicago to Walter William Sr. and Mildred Louise (Blumer) Schlegel. On April 30, 1988, she married Daniel Vere Searles III in Elkhart.

He survives along with five sons, David D. (Jill) Hoffman of Osceola, Stephen W. Hoffman of Bettendorf, Iowa, John C. Hoffman of Erie, Pa., Timothy E. (Mary) Hoffman of Seattle, and Michael Searles of Elkhart; four daughters, Diane L. (Craig) Bowlby of Elkhart, Emily Searles of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Margaret and Jessica, both of Tucson, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Walter William Schlegel Jr.

Mrs. Searles worked as a bridal consultant at Wixson's Bridal, Pat's Bridal, Stephenson's Bridal and Sue's Bridal for a total of nearly 50 years. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Mishawaka, Camp Fire Girls of America, Mishawaka Women's Club and various doll clubs where she created "Grannie's Belly Button Babies." She was an honorary Boy Scout and member of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 20 years.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Chaplain Dick Dunn will officiate. Cremation will take place.

Memorials may be given to Alcoholics Anonymous, 949 A Middlebury St., Elkhart, IN 46516. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.