Bon Chareun

MADISON- Bon Chareun, age 58, of Madison passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Meriter Hospital. His final days were spent surrounded by close family and friends that Bon had touched in many ways. Bon was born on May 3, 1954 in Vientiane, Laos. Bon had a life full of devotion. Bon fought beside the U.S. Military at the age of 15 in the war against North Vietnam. After the war, he escaped the North Vietnamese by walking at night and swimming the Mekong River to Thailand. Bon came to the United States in 1980. He met his wife, Vilayphone Chareun, when they were both students at MATC in Madison. They were married and had three children. Vilayphone was taken away from them in 1995 when she died. He continued to take care of his three children as a single-father on his own. Bon was a devoted and well respected employee of the Madison Metro School District for 25 years when he retired due to health reasons. He is missed by his many co-workers. Bon is survived by his loving children, Phouthasane Meier and her husband Nathan, Pamela Chareun and Baxter Chareun; and granddaughter, Mya Chareun. A gracious thank you to his caretaker/sister-in-law, Vilayvieng Chareun; his nephew, Addison Chareun; and his honorable sponsors, Ivan and Ginny Bruner. A special thank you to the ICU nurses and doctors at Meriter Hospital. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m., on Sunday, March 18, 2012. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m., on Sunday, March 18, 2012.