Bonney Maestas, 84, of Cozad, Nebraska, died Saturday, May 5th, 2012, at his home in Cozad.

Bonney was born September 25th, 1927, at Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Macedonio and Francis (Arranda) Maestas. He attended school at Las Vegas.

On May 24th, 1952, Bonney married the love of his life, Florida Rivera at Las Vegas, New Mexico. The couple made their home in Bakersfield, California, where Bonney worked and picked cotton. Shortly after moving to California, the family moved to Cozad.

The couple bounced back and forth between Cozad and California until the late 1950's when they decided to make Cozad their permanent home. Their marriage was blessed with four daughters, Angie, Bonnie, Macidonia and Rose. While in Cozad, Bonney worked in the Hay Mills at Willow Island. Bonney and Florida eventually decided to open a cafe in Lexington called the Chili Bowl.

They would later go on to open Florida's Flavor Crisp Cafe in Cozad. Bonney and Florida both worked other jobs concurrently with their cafe obligations.  In the mid 1970's, the couple sold their cafes; Bonney later became a custodian at the Cozad High School, retiring in the early 1980's.

Bonney's love and first priority was always his family. He and Florida often enjoyed taking their girls to California and New Mexico to visit family and friends. Bonney was a gifted carpenter who was able to craft nearly anything he could imagine in his creative mind. He even built his family's 5th street home in Cozad. He was also known to be quite mechanically inclined and could fix nearly anything. Bonney also greatly enjoyed fishing. He also loved to grow large gardens, planting a broad array of vegetables.  
Bonney was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florida in 1994; and an infant brother.

Survivors include his four daughters, Angie (Don) Moore of Omaha, Nebraska, Bonnie (Richard Nichols) Lopez of Cozad, Macedonia (David Evans) Heller of Cozad and Rose (Phillip) Sprague of Cozad; seven grandchildren, Jamie, Christopher, Dakota, Autumn, Amber, Nicholas and Ida Rose; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Alice Maestas of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Maria Romero of Cozad; brother, Joe Maestas of Cozad; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of the Christian burial will be held (today) Thursday, May 10th, 2012, at 2 p.m., at the Christ The King Catholic Church in Cozad with Father Don O'Brien as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his memory.  Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.  
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.