Earl was born in White Sulphur Springs, Montana on July 3, 1918, the son of Aaron "Elwood" and Jennie (Jefferson) Bonine. He grew up and attended schools in White Sulphur Springs and graduating from Livingston High School in 1936. In 1937, Earl and Wallace Bert gathered enough horses to go to California for the winter. In 1938 while working on the haying crew on the Oto Dude Ranch in Paradise Valley, where he met Claribel Johnson and they were married on July 11, 1939. In 1941, they moved to Hysham to Claribels parent´s ranch and continued to expand the ranch for the next 30 years. In 2005, Claribel passed away after 66 years of marriage.
Earl was a Ray Hunt advocate, in which he sent his children and grandchildren to these clinics. He had a love for rodeo´s in which his son J.C. won the PRCA World Saddle Bronc Rider in 1977 and continued with all of his children and grandchildren. Even in Earl´s last years, he was still buying horses. He was a part of the Montana 1989 Centennial Trail Drive. He had a passion for music, playing the violin. After Claribel´s death he spent his time playing cards at the Hysham Senior Citizens Center.
Earl is survived by two sons: John (Eileen) Bonine of Black Earth, WI and James Carroll "J.C." (Butch) of Rising Star, TX; three daughters: Virginia (Gary) DeCock of Hysham, MT; Marie (David) Armstrong of Billings, MT; and Marcia Sperry of Trotters, ND; his special friend Betty Cathro of Broadus, MT; one sister, Betty Faries of Livingston, MT; thirteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Claribel in 2005; a brother Jim; a sister Marion Chadbourn; and a son-in-law, Bud Sperry.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Center in Hysham. Interment will be held at a later date on the family ranch at Hysham. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Bud Sperry Old Cowboys Memorial, 16340 County Line Rd, Beach, ND 58621 to be used for Ag Scholarships.
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Carmen Knutson says
So very sorry for your loss. I got to know Earl when I worked at the Nursing Home. He never failed to make me smile! I will remember him fondly. Prayers to the family.
Marie Gotfredson Scoville says
I’m glad that I got to see Earl for a little while, on Thursday. I know he is happier now, and riding good horses on good range!
Sincere sympathy, Marie
Bev and Ed Schaffer says
To the Family of Earl Bonine:
I worked at the Powder River Manor in Broadus during most of Earl’s stay there. I enjoyed Earl so much, and we became good friends. What a charming, witty, smart man! I loved listening to Earl tell stories about moving cattle, riding horses and reminiscing about his wife and family. I used to tell him, he was a gentleman and a scholar, and he was! Ed and I will both miss Earl. Our condolences to his family, and may God comfort you at this time.
arol Engle Drury says
I am so sorry to hear about Earl passing away. It is so hard to lose a parent. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
TJ Gillin Cape says
Earl was a legend! We all truly enjoyed his stories. The last few years dad always enjoyed his phone calls and late night story telling with Earl. In the earlier years there were lots of stories made & told at Stanley’s. Earl (as well as Claribel) will be greatly missed. The Gillin Family
Bill Dean Holmes says
Sorry to hear about your loss, His passing will sadden a lot of us old 4-h’ers….. Truly a Ledgend.
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
Special prayers and blessings to the Bonine Family at this time. We care. And know that the veil between here and heaven is thin–they are close by always. What a tremendous horseman and I think the world of his daughter, Marcia Sperry. Take care.
George Birtic says
I always heard of his son J. C. Bonine when he rode horses, and knew he was a good ridr, but hadn’t realized he was a world champion. What a good mentor Earl must have been around horses.
Karen Mouat says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your loss. I have many good memories of Earl and your mom. Square dancing at Sanders gym, trips to Forsyth for Rainbow meetings and always enjoyed visits when I would see him. What a wonderful life he had.
Dallas Currey says
So long cowboy I am glad I got to meet you and I am glad to know your family. God Bless You and happy trails
Ron & Carol Moore says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of loss. I have good memories of Uncle Earl playing his fiddle. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. I remember how he enjoyed stopping at the Speedway for a burger. He will always be remembered with a smile on my face. Love you all.
Carol
Jack and Julia Ferguson says
Sorry for the loss of your loved one. He was a great joy when he was in the same hospital room as my dad they had some great stories.
Doris Gillis Mason Zolnoski says
A long time high school friend, now living in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Enjoyed the high school reunions and our friendship.
Tom Cross says
Just saw this, playing with a few race horses as I’ve gotten older and there is a bull rider stabled next to us, made me think of my summer with the Bonine’s and especially Earl, most of you don’t know but he took a few young men from the east and instilled a work ethic that one could not find in any school, thank you Earl and family, tough to away from home for the first time at sixteen and so far to boot, but was treated like family, best to you all. Tom Cross