Mildred Gearing

Mildred Jeanne Bonniwell Gearing was born on July 3, 1933, in Fox Lake, Illinois.

Preceded in death by her parents, Wesley Thomas Bonniwell and Anna Barbara Slepicka Bonniwell; sister Delores Ann Bonniwell; husband Albert Gearing; and grandson Douglas Michael VanDyk.

Millie has five children, Gregory Michael Gearing and spouse Ruby Ann Talbott Gearing, Debra Jeanne Gearing, Judith Lynn Gearing Hinderlie and spouse, Eric Martin Hinderlie, Grant Bonniwell Gearing, and Graham Oscar Gearing; nine grandchildren, Douglas Michael VanDyk (deceased), Daniel Martin Hinderlie, John Wesley Gearing and spouse, Paige Marie Krafka Gearing, Shannon Jeanne Victoria Gillespie, Brooke RhyAnn Fender Mouton and spouse, Travis Ray Mouton, Katherine Christina Gearing, Brandon Rhys Fender, Timothy Patrick Gearing, Gregory James Gearing and spouse, Amy Nhi Pham Gearing; and nine great-grandchildren, Tukker Daniel Hinderlie, Aubrey Marie Hinderlie, Stetson Ray Mouton, Jace Jaydan Cox, Colton Ryan Mouton, Jamison Levi Cox, Luca Benjamin Gearing, Sutton Rhys Mouton, and Charlotte Rosalie Gearing.

Millie was born and raised around Fox Lake, Illinois. She took care of the household duties while her parents ran a bait store on the shores of Fox Lake. In 1951 her family moved to California. In Illinois and California, she worked as a secretary for several companies – Admiral Radio, Abbot Laboratories, Waukeson News, Woodbury College, Pacific Bell and North American. 

September 1953, after a night bowling with the Ingleaires, the after-game party was at the Tradewinds Restaurant. She was looking for a seat, and the only one she could find was Albert Gearing’s knee. A quick introduction was followed by a quick romance. On Lincoln’s birthday, February 12th, 1954, they started 64 years of marriage. Their first Christmas was celebrated with the birth of their son, Greg, December 23rd. In 1955, they moved into their own home in La Puente, California where Debbie, Judy, and Grant were born. Her family outgrew their first home. In 1963 they moved to a larger house in Monrovia, California where Graham was born, and they stayed for 31 years raising their family.

While in Monrovia, Millie was a stay-at-home mom, active in church, who enjoyed her children very much. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, volunteer at Mayflower Elementary School and Don Bosco Technical Institute. She was the quintessential mom raising five children, helping them with schoolwork, teaching them to cook, sew, laundry, and iron. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting, swimming, horseback riding, raising various pets, exploring the nearby hills and beaches, bowling, and gardening. She was very close to her parents and almost every weekend would find three generations spending time together.

After Al retired, they moved to Texas in 1994 to be closer to Greg and Graham’s families. They bought a small house on 2 acres in the country surrounded by 13 acres of undeveloped land. She enjoyed the quiet country life, watching the birds, squirrels, and rabbits running through her yard.

Millie was loved by all, she always had time for her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent hostess; she and Al were the “surrogate” grandparents for many of their children’s neighbors. She was the glue that kept her family together throughout her life.