City expects full house for Bono's farewell

Bono warmed hearts from Hollywood to Washington

January 8, 1998
Web posted at: 10:08 a.m. EST (1508 GMT)

PALM SPRINGS, California (CNN) -- The city U.S. Rep. Sonny Bono called home is expecting a massive crowd at a vigil scheduled for Thursday afternoon -- the first of two public services for the late congressman.

"The community is grieving. We need to do something for the public," said Mark Mathews of Wiefels & Son Mortuary. "This is our buddy. This is a good friend of ours."

Bono, a popular Republican who first rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s as an entertainer, died Monday when he slammed into a tree while skiing in South Lake Tahoe.

City officials expect St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, which seats 1,100, to be packed on Thursday with family, friends, celebrities, politicians, and grieving constituents.

The Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival, which Bono founded eight years ago while he was mayor, plans to pay homage to him at the service.

"It will be quick and simple, just the way Sonny would have liked it," said executive director Craig Prater. "He would always tell us, 'Let's move ahead and just get the show on the road.'"

The four-hour service is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EST).

A family service

Bono's family on Wednesday took what friends called an important first step in healing -- holding a private service in his honor.

Bono's widow Mary Whitaker, his ex-wife Cher, and other family, close friends and former colleagues gathered for a private evening service at Our Lady of Solitude, two family friends told CNN.

Mourners viewed Bono in an open casket, and many who attended the service delivered eulogies and shared anecdotes about the entertainer who became a politician.

Family friend Gary Simon told CNN Bono's family was holding up well.

Bono was vacationing with his family when he died. He is survived by a 9-year-old son, a 6-year-old daughter, and two adult daughters from former marriages, including Chastity, his daughter with Cher.

"The merciful thing was he died instantly," Bono's 83-year-old mother, Jean Bono, told The (Palm Springs) Desert Sun on Thursday. "I feel sorry for the children who don't have a father anymore."

Friday's funeral

Sonny with then-wife, Cher, and their daughter Chastity on CBS in the 1970s

The Bono family and friends have reserved about three-quarters of the pews at St. Theresa's for Friday's funeral service, which has been arranged by his widow.

Like Thursday's vigil, the funeral is also open to the public, and the family has arranged to set up speakers outside the church so the expected overflow crowd can hear the Mass.

California Gov. Pete Wilson, and about 100 members of Congress are expected to attend the Mass. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will lead the congressional delegation. President Clinton is also expected to send a representative to the service.

The funeral service begins at 11 a.m. and will last about one-and-a-half hours.

Following the service, Bono's body will be driven along a five-and-a-half mile route to the Desert Memorial Park for a graveside burial service, expected to last about 15 minutes.

The burial is also open to the public.

Palm Springs officials say the city's police department, of 83 sworn officers, will get additional help from neighboring jurisdictions.

Filling Sonny's seat

Meanwhile, the California governor's office is waiting for the appropriate time to announce a special election to fill the late congressman's seat.

Under state law, the governor must announce an election within 14 days from the time the vacancy occurs.

State officials have reportedly said they may hold the election along with a statewide primary already scheduled for June 2.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Sonny Bono requests donations be made to one of two charities: City of Palm Springs, D.A.R.E. Program P.O. Box 1830 Palm Springs, California 92263 Attn: Lt. Mike McCracken Olive Crest Home for Abused Children 383 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, California 92262

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Post your reaction on our message board:

• Sonny Bono's death

Related stories:

• Mourners gather in town Bono helped promote - January 7, 1998
• Sonny Bono -- from TV to D.C. - January 6, 1998
• Bono ski death called accidental - January 6, 1998
• Reaction to Bono's death - January 6, 1998
• Sonny Bono: A politician with sense of humor - January 6, 1998

Related sites:

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• City of Palm Springs, California - official site
• Rep. Sonny Bono from the House of Representatives server
• The Sonny and Cher Show
• Heavenly Ski Resort

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