Bonnie J. Pollitt

Bonnie Jean (Nutt) Pollitt, 85, passed to her rest Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at home from congestive heart failure.

Born April 14, 1934, in Kadoka, South Dakota, she was the eldest daughter of Bonnie Berben “Ben” and Arthelda “Toddy” (Howie) Nutt. Ben was born in Oklahoma; Toddy in Montana. Six other children joined the family, all but one surviving into adulthood.

Ben Nutt was a Methodist, and the young family attended the Methodist Church in Missoula, Montana for a time. When Bonnie was about 5 years old, the family heard a series of meetings; her parents were then baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Shortly afterward, they moved to Indiana. Bonnie was also baptized at the age of 12, later attending Indiana Academy in Cicero, Indiana. While there, she was greatly impressed by the Dean of Girls. She decided to become a Dean, as well as a registered nurse. Bonnie attended Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) and Hinsdale Hospital, graduating in 1957. She passed her boards and began working as a nurse. In 1959 she went to Wisconsin Academy as Dean of Girls, then in 1963 served at Indiana Academy, also as Girls’ Dean.

On August 8, 1965, Bonnie married Gordon Wayne Pollitt in the recently constructed Seminary Chapel at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. They welcomed three children into their home.

Bonnie was an intelligent woman who dearly loved to read. Her favorite book was Pollyanna, and her favorite author, James Michener. She enjoyed swimming, golf, and traveling to places like Yellowstone Park in the family camper. She loved roses and the color red. Her favorite food was popcorn, and for dessert, hot chocolate pudding. Bonnie loved game nights and a good laugh. She believed in Jesus and the Resurrection; her life verse was Isaiah 41:10.

Bonnie is survived by her children Kevin Wayne, Shannon Marie, and Brendan Ray Pollitt, all of Berrien Springs, as well as her brothers Quentin Elroy of Thompsonville, Illinois, Bruce Elbert of Hinsdale, Illinois, and Robert Eldon “Bob” of Sawyer, Michigan, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gordon (December 17, 2002), her sister Arthelda Montana “Tana”, and brother Charles Oliver “Chuck”, all residents of Berrien Springs, and an infant sibling.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2020 in the Youth Chapel of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs. Online memories may be shared at www.allredfuneralhome.com.