MICHAEL GERARD BONNEL

09/25/1961 – 09/03/2025

 

           It is with both sorrow and joy we announce the passing of Michael Gerard Bonnel – sorrow for those of us left behind who miss Michael and joy for Michael who is at peace with his Heavenly Father, to whom Michael devoted so much of his life.

Michael was born to Ron and Judy Bonnel, his father’s little “Tiger,” the only boy among 6 children.  From an early age, Michael set himself apart through his brilliant, inquisitive mind, from reading the entire set of encyclopedias in elementary school and junior high, to raising sea horses to rewriting his Junior High English textbook to correct the many errors.  Michael’s brilliance was both his blessing and his curse.  His love of a mental challenge was matched by his love of the Beatles!  What a tragic day when they announced the band’s breakup.  A national day of mourning for Michael.

Michael fully surrendered himself to God around junior high.  Michael’s faith led him to be an altar server and, ultimately, to joining the Society of St. Pius X Seminary, first in Ridgefield, Connecticut and then to Écône, Switzerland.  Michael excelled in his studies, including his research at the Vatican Libraries, including the Pope’s Private Library.  He acquired a cosmopolitan, European education while in Écône.

After five and a half years at the Seminary, Michael, who never questioned his faith, questioned his calling.  Michael left the Seminary, but never left the Church.  He returned to Houston and worked in various service industries, serving others, from retail sales associate to airline flight attendant to airline customer service/flight developer to butler/personal assistant.  Michael remained steadfast in his faith, serving as altar-server and working with the Church.

Michael moved to Dickinson, Texas to be close to the sacraments.  There, he attended daily Mass until his health began to decline.  Even when his health would not permit him to attend Mass, he would unite himself to the Holy Sacrament while it was taking place.

Michael’s love and devotion to God or his family and friends was unwavering.  Regardless of the many challenges in Michael’s life, he never once turned from God – only drawing closer and relying more upon his faith in God’s enveloping love of us.  His faith was the number one priority in Michael’s life.  Thus, it is only fitting that, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church, Dickinson, Texas.

Michael is survived by his parents, Ron and Judy Bonnel, his sisters, Barbara Bonnel Anderson (Tracy), Jerrie Anne Bonnel Weldon (David), Katherine Bonnel Courtney, Lisa Marie Bonnel, and Suzanne Bonnel Schlicher (John), his nieces and nephews, Ryan Wilkenfeld and Kelli Nicole Wilkenfeld McKinney (David), Matthew Weldon, Mark Weldon (Andrea), Alexandra Nicole Courtney, and Samantha Schlicher, and great-niece and great-nephews, Ethan McKinney, Braden McKinney, Nora Weldon, McCoy Weldon, and Carter Wilkenfeld, and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  Also, Michael is survived by his beloved friends and Church family, including his neighbor, Dustin, and Donna Dixon, and numerous others, too many to list here.

Rosary and Requiem Mass will take place at 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 09, 2025, at Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church in Dickinson, Texas, followed by internment at Mount Olivet Cemetery.