Lena F. Bonner, 109 years and 354 days old, of Gatewood Drive, Mountain Grove, Virginia, passed away Monday, July 4, 2011 at the Pocahontas Center in Marlinton, West Virginia.

She was born July 15, 1901 in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Asbury Wise and Lena McCalpin.

Mrs. Bonner moved to Mountain Grove in 1905. She was married to her husband of 62 years, Burnett C. Bonner of Fort Dinwiddie whom she married on December 20, 1922. The Bonner’s bought their farm in 1931 and Mrs. Bonner became a housewife. She boarded 28 different school teachers in Mountain Grove over a period of 18 years, having boarded 3 at a time, and provided 3 meals per day. She heated the house by 6 wood stoves that she kept burning. She was a very dedicated member of the Mountain Grove United Methodist Church having served as Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer, Communion Steward, WSCS President; cleaned the church; and kept flowers on the alter. She learned to drive a Model T Ford but gave up driving when the more technical vehicles were invented.

She is survived by two foster daughters that she raised, Delsie Roberts  & husband Jerry of Staunton, Virginia, Patricia “Patty” Middleton & husband Melvin of Tennessee; a sister, Catherine Kershner of Mountain Grove; two nephews, Darrell Hiner & wife Barbara of Marlinton, West Virginia, David Kershner & friend Joanne of Mountain Grove, four nieces, Louise Wolfe of Roanoke, Virginia, Dreama Chestnut & husband Franklin       of Hot Springs, Virginia, Donna Wiseman & husband Robert of Gap Mills, West Virginia and Diane Pritt & husband Dana of Mountain Gove.

She was preceded in death by four sisters, Edna Warwick, Ethel Gutshall, Florence Taylor, Mary Puffenbarger Ailstock; and two brothers, Harper Hiner and James Hiner.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the Mountain Grove United Methodist Church with Reverend Robert Shields officiating, and Reverend Betty Shields and Reverend Dick Boyer assisting. Interment will be in the Mountain Grove Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends and family attending the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Janice O’Farrell, 5792 Mt. Valley Road, Warm Springs, Virginia 24484.