James W. Bonifas, age 92, of Coldwater, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.

He was born October 16, 1924 in Trinity, Indiana to the late Frank Bonifas and Theresia (Wagner). On May 9, 1951 he married Mary Rita (Hausfeld) and she died April 22, 2004.

He is survived by a son Frank Bonifas of Coldwater; a daughter Teresa & Jim Gardner of Cincinnati; grandchildren: Emily, Erin and Eleanor; a sister Joan Merola; a half-sister Martha Noll of Coldwater; many nieces and nephews and in laws Hilda Hausfeld of Coldwater and Rose Ann Hausfeld of Virginia.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Viola Gross; stepfather Peter Miller; siblings and in laws: Fr. Casper Bonifas C.PP.S., Sr. Catherine Bonifas C.PP.S., Lucille Kozlowski, Margaret & Sylvester Buschur, Herb & Maxine Miller, James Noll, Adolf Hausfeld, Ben & Helen Hausfeld, Louis & Mary Hausfeld, Jim Hausfeld, Linus Hausfeld, Paul & Betty Hausfeld and Ruth & Joe McDonald.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, the Coldwater Knights of Columbus, Coldwater American Legion, and the Coldwater V.F.W. He served in the US Army during WWII.

Jim worked at Pax Steel and S & K Metal Products. He owned Gulf Oil in Coldwater, and retired from the Village of Coldwater in 1989.

Jim enjoyed playing Santa Claus to area children for 50 years and never forgot the magic of Christmas. He also enjoyed bowling, working in his yard and could be seen gardening in his back yard from April to September without a shirt enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 PM Monday, January 16, 2017 at Holy Trinity Church, Coldwater. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery.

Friends may call from 12 to 1:30 pm on Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Please share a favorite memory and condolences at hogenkampfh.com.