Bessie Iris Bonker Scholten
Born on March 6, 1931 in Wyandotte, MichiganPassed away October 5, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida
Bessie Iris Bonker Scholten, 95, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Bessie Iris Cooper was born March 6, 1931 in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Harold (Jack) Cooper & Dorothy Margaret Cooper (nee White). She joined her brother, Charles and sister, Patricia, who was her lifelong best friend and protector.
The Coopers moved frequently throughout Southeastern Michigan “Downriver” during her youth. She graduated from Roosevelt High School, Wyandotte, MI, in June 1949.
In 1958 Bess met William Lee Bonker, the ‘man of her dreams’. They were married on June 27, 1959 and eventually settled in Riverview, MI. Bess worked at Bond Products, Federated Dept. Store, Winkelman’s and at Kelly Girl while married.
Bess’s lifelong dream of being a mother came true with the adoption of their daughter, Kimberly Ann, in May of 1967. Bess was a stay-at-home Mom for many years, eventually going back to work part-time for the Riverview School District in 1975.
Bess was a religious woman whose faith and belief in our Lord was an integral part of her life and carried her through many challenges. She volunteered her time and energy at Glenwood United Methodist Church in Wyandotte, MI from 1950 to 1967 and at Riverview United Methodist Church from 1976 to 1991, focusing her efforts on Sunday School and Choir.
In 1991 Bess & Bill followed Kim to Florida, moving from Riverview, MI to Port St. Lucie, FL. On February 26, 1993 Bess welcomed her first and only grandson, Ryan Reese Snyder. She was the proudest Grandma you have ever seen. Sadly, on September 13, 1993, Bess lost her husband Bill.
Bess found love again when she met Wilhelm Scholten in 1996 at a support group for widows and widowers. Bess and Bill were married on April 5, 1997 and shared many years of happiness, traveling throughout the US in their RV, eventually purchasing a second home in North Carolina. They also traveled to Europe. After selling the North Carolina place, they finally settled in Micco, Florida and enjoyed a quiet life together until Bill’s passing on September 8, 2018.
Bess was a wonderful baker, who always had a fresh-baked, homemade “something” on the counter to share. She was a caring, nurturing woman who loved her family, especially the little ones, and her Sister, Pat, who was the best big sister.
Bess is survived by her Sister, Patricia Menzer, Daughter, Kimberly Ann (Scott) Huxtable, grandson, Ryan Reese (Olivia) Snyder, great-granddaughter Amelia Grace Snyder & bonus-great-granddaughter, Audriana Dix, Bonus-grandchildren, Scott (Carlee) Huxtable III & Desirae (Lacey) Roberts, and bonus-great grandsons, Morgan Blair Huxtable and Carson Jerome Huxtable; Step-children, Saja (Richard) D’Amico, Joyce Rehe, Susan Scholten (Ralph) Petrek & Will Scholten, step-grandchildren, Dana (Trent) Allan, Jessica Rehe, Rebecca Rehe, Joanna (Jeff) Crawford, Audra Lemley, Alexandra Lemley, and step-great-grandchildren, Ryder & Indy Allan, Noah & Jensen Crawford, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
As per her wishes, Bess’s ashes will be interred in the Memorial Garden at the First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian. A small “graveside” service will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Donations in Bess’s honor can be made to All For One Pet Rescue, Inc. – P.O. Box 213325, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421 or online at allforonepetrescue.org/info/donate.
