Goshen, IN - Michael Reid Bonewitz, 74, of Goshen, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, surrounded by family in Goshen. Born October 7, 1950, in Colorado Springs, CO, Mike was the third of seven children born to Dorothy Marie (Baker-Bonewitz-Alstedt) and Rev. Robert Hall Bonewitz. As the son of a Methodist pastor, Mike spent his childhood moving across Indiana, where his family served multiple congregations. He graduated from Concord High School in 1968 and was proud to have been a Boy Scout in his early years-an experience that sparked his lifelong love of nature, resourcefulness, and service to others. Though reserved in his youth-often leaning on his younger brother to help him make friends-Mike grew into a man who never missed a dance floor. A lifelong free spirit, he often said, "I have always loved life." Whether belting out the wrong lyrics to a song, playing the trumpet or harmonica, or telling campfire stories that left you in stitches, Mike brought light, levity, and faith wherever he went. Mike's resume reads like a blend of spiritual pilgrim and real estate entrepreneur. He and his wife, Nancy, poured their creativity into restoring old homes and building beauty where others saw disrepair. But it was a sunrise over a steeple in Syracuse, NY, that shaped his life most deeply-where he heard God whisper, "I am here, I have always been here, and I will always be with you." That moment launched a faith-filled journey through the Jesus Movement, hitchhiking to California, spreading the Gospel, and collecting stories worthy of the wildest memoir (including almost making it to Woodstock). With Marilyn Faye (Bonewitz-Hartzler), Mike became the proud father of five. He raised his children with music, wonder, deep faith, and unshakable joy. Mike loved God, music, carpentry, nature, camping, and dancing-especially when no one else would. His signature move? A barefoot, full-body jam to "Mustang Sally." He found solace and connection with The Divine in nature, often saying he felt "one step from Heaven" when he spent time in Creation. A man of faith, Mike was a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen, where he found a spiritual home that honored his lifelong journey with God. Survivors include his beloved wife, Nancy (Ray-Webb) Bonewitz of Goshen and Green Valley, AZ; siblings Roberta K. (late Steve) Anderson of Leesburg, David P. (Anne) Bonewitz of Warsaw, Debora J. (Jim) Ellis of New Paris, and Nancy E. (Ken) Miller of Bourbon; children Crystal J. (Cory) Weatherton of Goshen, Rachel H. (Tyrone) Miller of La Porte, Sarah R. (Chris) Elledge of Goshen, Jason P. (Gina) Bonewitz of Bristol, and Grace M. Bonewitz of Middlebury; stepchildren Bryan T. (Kim) Webb of Hendersonville, TN, Colleen M. Wegener of Ionia, MI, and Justin R. (Dasha) Webb of Carmel; and 22 grandchildren: Dillan, Anna (Tanner), Ella, Eliza, Avonlea, Novelle, Clinton, Halcyon, Olivia (Luke), Abigail, Isaac, Raegan, Faye, Evie, Jasen, Kody, Miya, Hannah, Melitta, Victoria, Colin, and Braden. One great-grandchild is expected soon. He is also remembered fondly by bonus family members Jon (Larissa) Hunsberger, Dwain (Marilyn) Hartzler, Amy (Kevin) Webb Huenecke, Werner Wegener, and Erica (Jerry) Gebhart. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Betty Jo and Marianne Bonewitz, and brother-in-law Steve Anderson. Mike's Final Wishes: "In my heart, it's always been about the legacy of the Bonewitz family-and the small part I played in it. Firm up the links so the ugly part doesn't continue. If I've succeeded in passing along my love for God to my children and grandchildren, I die a happy man. What matters is an authentic relationship with God Almighty-not pretend religion, but something alive in your soul." With Gratitude: Mike faced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer, with courage and unshakable faith. He received a bone marrow transplant with stem cells from Kamil Krasiński of Warsaw, Poland, and the family remains deeply grateful to him. Thanks also to the exceptional team at Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ, and to Friendship Flights, whose air transport helped bring Mike home during his final days. A graveside GOSHEN [mdash] Michael Reid Bonewitz, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, surrounded by family in Goshen.

Born Oct. 7, 1950, in Colorado Springs, CO, Mike was the third of seven children born to Dorothy Marie (Baker-Bonewitz-Alstedt) and Rev. Robert Hall Bonewitz.

As the son of a Methodist pastor, Mike spent his childhood moving across Indiana, where his family served multiple congregations.

He graduated from Concord High School in 1968 and was proud to have been a Boy Scout in his early years-an experience that sparked his lifelong love of nature, resourcefulness, and service to others.

Though reserved in his youth-often leaning on his younger brother to help him make friends, Mike grew into a man who never missed a dance floor.

A lifelong free spirit, he often said, "I have always loved life." Whether belting out the wrong lyrics to a song, playing the trumpet or harmonica, or telling campfire stories that left you in stitches, Mike brought light, levity, and faith wherever he went.

Mike's resume reads like a blend of spiritual pilgrim and real estate entrepreneur.

He and his wife, Nancy, poured their creativity into restoring old homes and building beauty where others saw disrepair.

But it was a sunrise over a steeple in Syracuse, NY that shaped his life most deeply-where he heard God whisper, "I am here, I have always been here, and I will always be with you." That moment launched a faith-filled journey through the Jesus Movement, hitchhiking to California, spreading the Gospel, and collecting stories worthy of the wildest memoir (including almost making it to Woodstock).

With Marilyn Faye (Bonewitz-Hartzler), Mike became the proud father of five.

He raised his children with music, wonder, deep faith, and unshakable joy.

Mike loved God, music, carpentry, nature, camping, and dancing-especially when no one else would. His signature move? A barefoot, full-body jam to "Mustang Sally."

He found solace and connection with The Divine in nature, often saying he felt "one step from Heaven" when he spent time in Creation.

A man of faith, Mike was a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen, where he found a spiritual home that honored his lifelong journey with God.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Nancy (Ray-Webb) Bonewitz of Goshen and Green Valley, AZ; siblings, Roberta K. (late Steve) Anderson of Leesburg, David P. (Anne) Bonewitz of Warsaw, Debora J. (Jim) Ellis of New Paris, and Nancy E. (Ken) Miller of Bourbon; children, Crystal J. (Cory) Weatherton of Goshen, Rachel H. (Tyrone) Miller of La Porte, Sarah R. (Chris) Elledge of Goshen, Jason P. (Gina) Bonewitz of Bristol, and Grace M. Bonewitz of Middlebury; stepchildren Bryan T. (Kim) Webb of Hendersonville, TN, Colleen M. Wegener of Ionia, MI, and Justin R. (Dasha) Webb of Carmel; and 22 grandchildren, Dillan, Anna (Tanner), Ella, Eliza, Avonlea, Novelle, Clinton, Halcyon, Olivia (Luke), Abigail, Isaac, Raegan, Faye, Evie, Jasen, Kody, Miya, Hannah, Melitta, Victoria, Colin, and Braden. One great-grandchild is expected soon.

He is also remembered fondly by bonus family members, Jon (Larissa) Hunsberger, Dwain (Marilyn) Hartzler, Amy (Kevin) Webb Huenecke, Werner Wegener, and Erica (Jerry) Gebhart.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Jo and Marianne Bonewitz; and brother-in-law, Steve Anderson.

Mike's Final Wishes: "In my heart, it's always been about the legacy of the Bonewitz family and the small part I played in it. Firm up the links so the ugly part doesn't continue. If I've succeeded in passing along my love for God to my children and grandchildren, I die a happy man. What matters is an authentic relationship with God Almighty-not pretend religion, but something alive in your soul."

With gratitude Mike faced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer, with courage and unshakable faith.

He received a bone marrow transplant with stem cells from Kamil Krasiński of Warsaw, Poland; and the family remains deeply grateful to him.

Thanks also to the exceptional team at Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ, and to Friendship Flights, whose air transport helped bring Mike home during his final days.

A private graveside service will be held on Monday, May 19, at Parks Memorial Cemetery in Bourbon.

The service will be officiated by his brother-in-law, Pastor Ken Miller.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Great Lakes Transplant Fund in support of his granddaughter, Avonlea Miller.

To donate online, please visit:

https://helphopelive.org/campaign/2554/

Online condolences may be offered at millerstewartfuneralhome.com.