Charlotte O. Bunker

Charlotte O. Bunker age 81 of Belle Fourche, died Thursday July 8, 2010 at the Belle Fourche Regional Care Center in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 10 am Monday July 12th, 2010 at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills with Rev. Paul Howard officiating. Visitation will be held 4 to 6 pm Sunday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills, and there will be a public prayer service at 6pm. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery, in Belle Fourche. Charlotte Odessa Joiner was born November 23, 1928 in Electra, Texas. She was the daughter of Charles C. and Velma (Pratt) Joiner. Charlotte grew up in Newcastle Texas, and during her senior year in school she moved with her family to San Pedro CA, where she graduated from high school in 1948. Charlotte was a USO singer and she sang for the U.S. military troops in California. She also sang for them on the radio. In 1949 she was married to Charles R. Hawley. To this union three children were born: Nancy, Charles, and Cathy. Following their marriage Charles was deployed to the western Pacific during his service in the U.S. Navy. Charlotte and Charles were later divorced. During these years of marriage, Charlotte worked as a Nurse. She was an LPN for several years. In 1963, Charlotte was united in marriage to Howard Bunker, in San Pedro CA. He died in 1986 and a short time after, Charlotte moved to Belle Fourche SD where she lived with her daughter, Cathy. Since 1990, Charlotte has been a resident at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center. Charlotte was one of the few survivors of Polio. In her infancy, she was stricken with the disease and it became a life-long challenge for her to face. In many ways she rose to the challenge however, and her faith in God was an important part of it. Charlotte spent many years at the Belle Fourche Senior Care Center. During these years she will be remembered for being the official greeter, and for her love of music. She sang to the staff and residents almost every day. Music was a gift she gave her family as well. She could also tell a good story, making it up as she went along. Her grandchildren gave her much pride. She loved her family very much. Charlotte is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Jim) Wade of Redondo Beach CA, Cathy Schnaible of Rapid City; son, Charles (Anna) Hawley of San Pedro CA; 7 grandchildren, Briana (Darren) Patterson, Ben (Rebecca) Schnaible, Daniel Wade, Timothy Wade, Andrea Hawley, Christine Hawley, Michael Hawley; and 5 great grandchildren, Mazie Kindsfater, McKenzie and Millie Patterson, Winter and Parker LaRose-Schnaible. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard Bunker; and an infant brother. May God Bless the Memory of Charlotte Odessa Bunker. FUNERAL SERVICE 10:00 A.M. – Monday – July 12th, 2010 Funeral Home of the Northern Hills Belle Fourche, South Dakota OFFICIANT – Rev. Paul Howard TRIBUTE – Rev. Chuck Hanes CASKETBEARERS Randy Bradley                                   Ben Schnaible Chuck Hanes                                      Dale Schnaible Darren Patterson                                 Daniel Wade MUSIC Organist – Judy Howard Vocalists – Donna Bradley, Naomi Clarey “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Amazing Grace” Cellist – Mazie Kindsfater   INTERMENT Pine Slope Cemetery Belle Fourche, South Dakota