Jon Edward Bonnell, Jr. was born on August 19, 1984 to Jon Bonnell, SR and Denise Rork in Fort Dodge, IA.

Jon went to Ford Doge Senior High School where he graduated in 2003. Jon participated in baseball throughout the years from tee ball and Boone league to pitcher and first baseman for the varsity baseball team. He was fiercely competitive, and yet loyal, and an honorable mention all-conference baseball player in his senior year. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps before he graduated high school in 2003. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, CA.

The unit specialized in security and bomb detection. He was quick to climb up the leadership ladder. Anything Jon did, he put everything he had into it. That’s why he chose to become a Marine in high school.

Jon assisted victims of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia after his first tour in Iraq and was deployed to Iraq a second time in May 2007. He had re-enlisted earlier in 2007 and despite the death toll and violence, he was ready. He wanted to do it. He hoped to make the Marines his career.

Jon stepped on a roadside bomb while he was looking for roadside bombs between Baghdad and Fallujah on August 7, 2007. He was 22 years old.

Jon was the second youngest of four children ages 13-28. Though he loved his country, he also loved to see the world. He had a sense of humor, honed by their favorite movie, “Tommy Boy”. Jon and his dad would watch that movie over and over.

Chris Farley was his favorite comedian. He had a tear running down when Farley died. He couldn’t believe it.

His grandma Donna, had talked to him before he died. When asked whether her grandson would think himself a hero, she said “I doubt that. I imagine he thought they were all heroes.”

Jon loved baseball and he loved drawing. He is survived by his dad, Jon SR. mom, Denise Rork, sisters Sara Bonnell, Brandy Rork and Tasha Rork.

Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter is pleased to present this flag sponsored by Spartan Nash to the family of Jon Edward Bonnell, JR.