Obituary of John Arnold Bonslett

On the evening of November 22, 2020, long established rice producer, John Arnold Bonslett departed at his residence. He was born July 23, 1928 in Sutter County, California to William Arnold Bonslett and Mary Elizabeth Myers. In the mid 1930’s John, who was often referred to as “Jack”, spent his beginning years assisting his family with their farm and crops, which he later grew up to inherit, reside at, and manage until the early 2000’s. In his middle-aged years, he had a passion for traveling, deer hunting, fishing, camping, and regularly improving his matured harvesting equipment. The Bonslett’s were one of the initial families that came from the mid-west with the Gridley’s when the town was originally founded back in 1870 by George W. Gridley. Making Jack’s grandfather, Arnold Bonslett one of the first local landowners. With over 150 years of agricultural experiences in the family, and 72 years of farming rice himself, there was no question about the extravagant fondness he had for his land or providing for his community. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Elanor Macey. Jack is survived by his wife of 29 years, Judith Bonslett and his 2 stepdaughters, Cheryl Helm and Carol Helm, his grandson Jason Anguiano, his granddaughter Cheyenne Wilhite, and his great-granddaughter Violette Starr. Jack is also survived by his three daughters from a previous marriage, Jackie, Patty and Peggy Bonslett. Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.