Bonham Ray Bibb

Bonham Ray Bibb, age 83, of Bowling Green, MO passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Country View Nursing Facility. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green, with Lay minister Chris Gamm officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bowling Green with Military Honors under the direction of Missouri Military Funeral Honors and VFW Post #5553. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the funeral home. Bonham’s request for those attending services was to come dressed casually, especially in sports or patriotic attire. Bonham was born October 11, 1941, in Bowling Green, MO, the son of Earl Benton and Frances Elizabeth (Freeman) Bibb. He attended Bowling Green Schools and graduated alongside the class of 1959. While attending Bowling Green High School, Bonham was active in Basketball and Baseball for the Bobcats. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Missouri Valley College where he would continue to play both sports and graduated in 1963. Bonham would go on to enlist in the United States Navy and serve on the USS Norfolk, protecting the South American Countries during the Vietnam War. Bonham married Joyce Clare Niemeyer at St. Clement Catholic Church April 30, 1966, and together, had three children. Bonham’s working career consisted of 31 years, working for Sonoco in Louisiana, MO, until their closure. Bonham would work for one year at Louisiana Plastics, until he took a job at the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, in Vandalia, MO where he worked until he retired in 2009. Being a Bowling Green native and living most of his life in his hometown, Bonham gave back to his community over the years, serving as a member of the VFW Post #5553, as a member of the BG Park Board, Jaycees, Senate Bill 40, Khoury League, as well as the Bowling Green Bobcat Boosters. Bonham’s passion for sports would be passed down to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, often playing pitch and catch in the back yard or across the ditch between his and his parents. Bonham loved Cardinal Baseball and was often found sitting in his recliner in the living room with the game on the television, but with the sound tuned off while listening to the radio broadcast of the same game on KMOX. He also enjoyed St. Louis Blues Hockey, Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tiger games. Most important of all the sports he watched were the games his grandchildren were involved in. Bonham’s love for family was visible everywhere. He enjoyed family gatherings in his back yard, at Bibb Lake, or anywhere the family was gathering. He enjoyed BBQing, playing cards and poker, along with bowling in his younger years. Those left to share his memories are his wife of 59 years, Joyce Bibb, of Bowling Green; children Cary (Janese) Bibb of Bowling Green, Julie (Paul) Bailey of California, MO, and Marcia Bibb of California, MO; grandchildren Emma, Gabe and Ella Bailey, Dianna and Claire Bibb; siblings Betty Mitchell of Bowling Green, Mona (Dave) Grote of Bowling Green, Jack (Cathy) Bibb of Bowling Green; brother and sisters-in-law Richard (Connie) Marchetto of St. Louis, Marcine (Elaine) Niemeyer, Ellen (Denis) Sutter, Jeanette Marcus, Eugene (Teese) Niemeyer, and Alice (Phil) Shocklee; nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Judy Marchetto; brothers-in-law Denis Niemeyer and James Mitchell. Serving as pallbearers will be Gabe Bailey, Brad Niemeyer, Brock Niemeyer, John Niemeyer, Aaron Pruitt and Tim Mitchell. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Emma Bailey, Ella Bailey, Dianna Bibb, Claire Bibb, Buzz Orf, Clem Green, and Tom Lovell. Memorials may be made to the B.G.H.S. Alumni Association, Bowling Green VFW Post #5553, or Pike County Home Health and Hospice.

Bonham Ray Bibb

October 11, 1941 - May 25, 2025