George P. Bondora, 84, Piedmont, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the Black Hills Health Care Center at Fort Meade.

Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Mr. Larry Williamson officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

George was born August 30, 1923, at Chicago, IL, to Paul and Pauline (Velcek) Bondora. He was raised and went to school with his three sisters and two brothers. When he was 17 years old, he went to the C.C.'s. He traveled and worked in forestry. After returning from this program, he joined the US Army and served his country from 1943 until 1945. George was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his honorable discharge, he returned home where he married Betty Severson on January 12, 1946, in Chicago, IL.

The couple lived in Chicago before moving to Brandon, SD, in 1948. George worked in construction. They returned to Chicago for another 8 years, but eventually settled in Brandon again. George worked for the State of South Dakota and was employed by ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program). He was transferred to Rapid City ASAP in 1974 and was with them until 1977. He then worked at the Northern Alcohol Referral Center in Sturgis from 1978 until 1991 and was an independent, certified DUI Instructor and Counselor.

George was a member of the Rapid City Propbusters remote control Airplane Club from 1992 to 2000, where he enjoyed building flying and occasionally crashing.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Bondora, Piedmont; three sons, Richard Bondora, Wax, KY, George (Laurie) Bondora, Upton, WY, and Duane (Vickie) Bondora, Broomfield, CO; one daughter, Sheree (Dennis) Bernal, Rapid City, one sister, Helen Gruel, Valparaiso, IN; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, two sisters, two brothers, and one grandson

A memorial has been established.

The family wishes to thank the VA Health Care System Home Health and the VA Hospice Unit for the excellent care that they provided to George.