Bonnie Mae Spellman

Bonnie Mae Spellman, 89, of Clear Lake, Texas, passed away December 4, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Bonnie was born October 10, 1936, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Zeldon Allen Merkley and Elsie May Jensen Merkley. She grew up in rural Pocatello in very poor conditions next to her grandfather's farm. Bonnie had one younger brother named Zeldon Leo Merkley who passed away at the young age of 5 months. This took a major toll on her mother, Elsie. Bonnie spent a lot of time with her cousins and had a lot of fun experiences, including exploring an abandoned house for Halloween and participating in dance events. Bonnie was a talented singer and both her parents were musicians.

Bonnie met and married Duane Allen Spellman on January 8, 1955 in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho. They moved to San Jose, California, where they birthed three children, Duane, Valerie and Rachelle. Due to unexpected circumstances, the family was given the choice to move to Alabama or Texas. Bonnie said that Texas would be better than Alabama and that was the decision made. Bonnie warned her children about how Texas was going to have a very different climate that included humidity. Her daughter, Valerie, said that their mom was absolutely right! The family moved to Clear Lake, Texas, where they bought a house and raised their family.

Bonnie believed strongly in education and taught her children to value education. She attended the University of Houston-Clear Lake in her 30's where she double majored in Sociology and Psychology and obtained straight A's. She said that she was so afraid to get a B letter grade that she worked extra hard and ended up getting all A's.

Bonnie was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a faithful member to the end of her life and served in the church in multiple capacities. She raised her children to do like-wise. She was very Christ-like and family-centered and believed strongly in her religion. She and her husband attended church every Sunday until they were unable to do so. Some of Bonnie's last words were, "It is well with my soul".

Bonnie truly cared about the well-being of those around her and not only took care of her own given family but brought others into her nest of care. A young man named, Philip, who needed assistance was discovered by Bonnie and Duane. Bonnie and Duane took him into their home and raised him as their own. Philip or Uncle Phil, loved Bonnie and Duane dearly. He became personally acquainted with who both Bonnie and Duane truly are. Phil shared the following after her passing:

Bonnie was so much more than the woman who opened her home to me when I was a lost sixteen-year-old. She became my mom. Without really knowing me, she welcomed me into the family that she and her husband Duane had built, and for the next several years she gave me a safe place to live, learn, and grow. Through my college and university years, she was endlessly patient, open-hearted, generous, and encouraging. Her love and steady presence gave me my start in life when my opportunities had been few, and the person I am today is because she chose to love me as her own.
Even as she grew older and more frail, she never stopped checking on me, cooking caramel popcorn for me, and always wanting to know how I was really doing and how she could support me. I will miss her dearly every day, but I take comfort in knowing that she is now at peace and in a far better home, held in the loving presence of our Lord and Savior. Until we meet again, I will carry her love, her example, and her kindness in my heart.
Your son, Phil

Bonnie enjoyed crocheting and was a skilled seamstress. Bonnie was a talented coloratura soprano and loved to dance and listen to music growing up. She was also a talented cook. Her grandchildren have fond memories of going to her house and eating the delicious recipes she created including cinnamon rolls, spaghetti, hamburgers, hot dogs and delicious meals during the holidays.

Bonnie dearly loved her children and her grandchildren. They were the priority and focus of her life. When her grandchildren were young, she would take them trick-or-treating, out to eat for their birthdays, spend time with them at the beach, took them on vacations, played games with them at her house and much more! She taught her grandchildren how to sew and cook. Her grandchildren looked forward to seeing Grandma and going to Grandma's house!

Bonnie reached out and helped her children and grandchildren in any way she could. She was always concerned about her family and their well-being. Notably, she raised her grandson, Daniel, from young childhood to adulthood becoming the mother of five children and being a mother from her twenties into her eighties. She was adored, loved and looked up to by many including family, friends and acquaintances.

Bonnie is survived by her son, David (Tina) Spellman of Farmers Branch, TX; daughter, Valerie (James) Heydorn of League City, TX; foster son, Philip Johnston (Cindy) of Houston, TX; 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Zeldon and Elsie Merkley; daughter, Rachelle Crawford; brother, Zeldon Leo Merkley. Rachelle's husband, Corey Crawford, survived his wife Rachelle Crawford, and was a dear friend of Bonnie's for many years. Bonnie led an exemplary life and is greatly missed by family and friends. She was a caring and loving wife, daughter, sister, cousin, mother, grandmother and friend.

In connection with Bonnie's request, no services are being held.