Bonnie Karen Landis

Anderson- Bonnie K. (Burris) Landis, 76, passed away on November 16, 2021. She was born March 2, 1945 to Norris and June Burris in Indianapolis, In. She graduated from Arsenal Tech High School, Anderson University, and earned her Master’s Degree from Ball State University.

Bonnie was an English Professor at Anderson University for 20 years. She loved to travel to far and near places, discover new restaurants, shop, and attend concerts. Bonnie was a talented musician and pianist. She was also a published poet. Bonnie loved gardening, birdwatching, and nature.

Bonnie met her husband, Dale, at Anderson College, and they have been married for 52 years. After graduation, they lived briefly in Lima, Ohio. They then moved to St. Joseph, Michigan where Bonnie raised her children, and attended school. Dale pastored at First Church God. They moved back to Anderson in 1985, where Bonnie began as an English Professor at Anderson University, and where the family attended South Meridian Church of God.

Bonnie and Dale have 2 children, Jennifer Landis (Anderson, In.) and Doug Landis (Anderson, In.). They have 4 grandchildren, Taylor Gimple, Dane Dodd, Jacob Dodd, and Zachary Landis. They will fondly remember grandma’s wonderful meals, games they played, trips they took, and her unending love for them.

Bonnie believed in Jesus. She fulfilled God’s purposes of teaching and giving to others, as well as providing joy and care for her beloved grandchildren, children, and husband. Bonnie’s most important accomplishment was the love, friendship, and support that she showed endlessly to her family, friends, children, and grandchildren over the years. To her children and grandchildren, she was our first best friend in life and she will be missed dearly.

Because of Bonnie’s faith, we know that her body is renewed. Each time we begin to feel sorrow, we can imagine her renewed, healthy body running through the fields of Heaven, with no pain and endless energy. We can picture the joy on her face as she is able to meet Jesus and reunite with her loved ones who are already in Heaven waiting for her. We can only assume that she was quickly set in front of a piano to accompany the Heavenly singing, and that she is making Jesus smile and laugh just as she did with us. The Bible says that we cannot imagine Heaven and all that God has prepared for us. Given this, and the beautiful things we CAN imagine, how incredible Heaven must be!!

1 Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Bonnie is survived by her brothers, whom she loved dearly, Bob, Mike, and Mark Burris, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norris and June Burris, and her sister, Linda Moon.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Donations can be made to Children of Promise in Bonnie’s name at ChildrenofPromise.global/give Bonnie invested in the children of this organization by sponsoring several children over the years. If you would like to be alerted of Celebration date and time, please email: [email protected] Our family would also love to read your “Bonnie Stories” and fond memories at this email address!

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you waken in the morning hush;

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starts that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye