Ernest Charles "Ernie" Bonanni, 69, of Brent Road, Springfield Township, Mercer County, died at 5:19 p.m. Saturday at the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital-University Hospital of Cleveland after a long illness.

He was the current oldest survivor of cystic fibrosis in the United States.

Born April 12, 1938, in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, he was the son of Jay C. and Julia Nancy Guarnieri Bonanni.

Mr. Bonanni had owned and operated E.C. Bonanni Trucking for more than 30 years. Prior to that, he had worked for Schepp House Movers, Springfield Township, and Tajon Inc. of Grove City.

He was a 1956 graduate of New Wilmington High School and served honorably and retired from the Pennsylvania National Guard's Grove City Unit.

He was member of the Knights of Columbus 3658 of Grove City.

He enjoyed farming and taking his grandchildren for rides on his John Deere tractor. He enjoyed all sports involving his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed hunting and traveling.

He was a member of the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Slippery Rock and had served as an alter boy and usher.

Surviving are his wife, Bonnie J. Heckathorn Bonanni, whom he married Feb. 28, 1959; three children and their spouses, Sharin E. and William Norris of Grove City, Terry W. and Lynnette Bonanni of Mercer and Dennis E. and Patricia Bonanni of Farrell; a brother, Jay C. Bonanni and his wife, Kathleen, of Volant; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and John Bistolas of Mercer and Rosemary and Jeffrey Bishop of Volant; and a sister-in-law, Janet Bonanni of Grove City. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Megan, Katlynn, and Adam Bonanni and Alexander and Samuel Norris.

He was preceded in death by a brother, James R. Bonanni, and a sister, Patricia Harris

<B>BONANNI </B>— Friends of Ernest Charles "Ernie" Bonanni, who died Saturday, May 19, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 1778 Perry Highway, Volant. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 670 S. Main St., Slippery Rock, with the Rev. James Armstrong officiating. Burial will be at the Carpenter Cemetery, Springfield Township, Mercer CountyMemorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Department, c/o Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, to the attention of Dr. Steven Strausbaugh.