Obituaries

July 23, 1951 to March 18, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS/WINAMAC - Sarah Lynn Hutchens Bonnell, 69, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, March 18.

She was born July 23, 1951 in Speedway, to the late John Wilson and Dorothy Wilmena Lynn Hutchens. She was a 1969 graduate of Speedway High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre from Ball State University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Indiana University at Kokomo.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years Tom Bonnell; her sons, Shay (Angie) Bonnell, Dominick (Tiffany) Calabrese, Trent Bonnell and Travis (Jessica) Bonnell; her brother, Jim (Cheri) Hutchens; her niece Amy Hutchens Terry, and her nephews, Michael and Mark Hutchens; her grandchildren, Avery, Brady, Bowen and Briggs Calabrese; Audrey, Grant and Aspyn Bonnell; Carter and Connor Bonnell, and Ethan Lamar; a host of dear friends, grateful students, and a forever-grateful community that witnessed the ongoing education of more than 3,000 students during the teaching tenure of Sarah Bonnell.

Mrs. Bonnell was dedicated to serving the students of Eastern Pulaski Elementary School in Winamac for 34 years. She was a former member of Winamac United Methodist Church, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. She was a kind and gentle soul who was happiest making memories with her family and friends. She absolutely loved enriching the lives of her students, her children, and grandchildren through teaching and new experiences. She never passed on an opportunity to read to her grandchildren, and appreciated her own quiet moments with her husband and family, often times celebrating life with a Coca-Cola or nice glass of wine.

She loved high school and college basketball, and disconnected herself every March to closely follow the NCAA Basketball Tournament. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, and her beloved Winamac Warriors, where she also served as cheerleader sponsor for many years. When there was time to get away, she would make her way with her family to Lake Maxinkuckee where many memories were made. Finally, she is honored and remembered by those students whose theatric talents were developed under her tutelage while participating in the Summer Playhouse children’s theatre program at the Winamac schools.

Mrs. Bonnell will be honored and remembered as a parent, wife, colleague, friend, and professional educator, with a gathering as a family and community at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 2. Mom's Celebration of Life will be held at: St. Luke's United Methodist Church 100 West 86th St. Indianapolis. A meal for those attending will follow at one of Sarah’s favorite restaurants: MCL Cafeteria, 2370 West 86th St., Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be given to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County, designating the donation to the Sherald & Verla Bonnell Family Educational Fund. Donations may be made online, and dedicated to and in the name of Sarah L. Bonnell. The Community Foundation of Pulaski County can be found at the following website: www.cfopc.org

Online condolences available at: www.leppertmortuary.com and www.frainmortuary.com