Bonita Lynn Fields Elder

WINCHESTER, Ind. - Bonita Lynn Fields Elder, age 68, of Winchester, died Saturday, November 17, 2012, at Reid Hospital Hospice, after a two year battle fighting cancer. Born July 18, 1944, in Walterboro, South Carolina, to Woodrow and Beverly Sherrow Fields, her family moved to Richmond when she was 3 months old. Lynn began dancing lessons at the age of 2 '. At age 9, she and her parents moved to Granada, California, where she continued to hone her dancing and singing. Lynn successfully auditioned as guest artist for the Walt Disney Company's 'Talent Round-Up Day' and became a Disney Mouseketeer as 'Broadway Bonnie'. After the original Mouseketeer Show ended she continued performing at California's Disneyland. Lynn also appeared in various movies such as 'Kissin' Cousins' with Elvis Presley, 'Four for Texas' with Dean Martin, 'Bye Bye Birdie' with Ann Margaret, 'Sweet Charity' with Shirley McClain and 'Funny Girl' with Barbara Streisand. The movies were followed by a period of time, dancing on TV and Broadway in New York City, followed by opening her own dance studio back in Santa Monica, California. Lynn's incredible talent, charisma, and enthusiasm for dance and the performing arts were a great inspiration to thousands of students. She eventually moved back to Richmond to be close to her mother, in her final years, and had lived in Winchester for the past two years. Survivors include her cousins, Robbin (John) Myers of Florida, Diana (Lou) Jaffe, of South Carolina and David Bartlemay of Wisconsin; aunt, R. June Bartlemay of Richmond; her students; and friends, including special friends, Alan Singleton of Winchester and Otis and Anna Singleton of Centerville. She was preceded in death by her parents; cousin, Victoria Deutsch; and uncle, I. Victor Bartlemay. Memorial visitation for Bonita Lynn Fields Elder will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 26, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 26, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor John R. Walker officiating. Burial will be in Webster Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, Wayne County Unit, 4567 Progress Drive, Columbus, IN 47201.

Bonita Lynn Fields Elder

July 18, 1944 - November 17, 2012