Bonnie Marilyn Hilyard Rhodes, 79, of Auburn, IL formerly of Williamsville, IL died at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2011 at Auburn Nursing and Rehab. She was born on July 22, 1931 in Bunker Hill, IL to Harold and Genevieve Lyles Hilyard. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son: Mark Anthony Rhodes; companion: Charles F. Dodd; three sisters: Connie M. Watson, Ramona J. Abbott and Patsy J. Lane and one brother: Richard W. Hilyard.
A resident of Auburn for one and a half years, she formerly resided in Williamsville. Bonnie was a member of St. John Vianney Church where she was a member of the Perpetual Adoration. Bonnie taught Catechism at Rapid City and for several years at St. John’s. She was also the organist at St. John’s since the late 1960’s. She retired from Horace Mann in January of 1994.
Surviving are two daughters, Michele Kathleen Rubenstein of Springfield, IL and Rebecca Lee Rhodes of Oyster Bay, NY; a son, Lewis Wayne Rhodes of Pearl, IL; six grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 9:30-10:30 am Thursday, July 28, 2011 at St. John Vianney Church.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Thursday, July 28, 2011 at St. John Vianney Church with Reverend Tom Donovan officiating. Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Time: 10:30 am
Springfield
1109 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Sherman
2626 East Andrew Road
Sherman, IL 62684
Sandy Braze Sheehan posted on 8/4/12
My parents were great friends with Bonnie and her family in Williamsville, IL and when we moved, they all came to visit our resort in Hayward, WI, but my story starts back in about 1965, growing up in Williamsville. I remember being very angry at my mother and packing my little overnight suitcase with all the essentials; a box of cereal, clean underwear and my toy train. Leaving the house quietly, I walked through the back fields to Bonnie's house. I don't think my mother even knew I was gone. Marching up to Bonnie's door, I knocked and she answered with her sweet, "Hello: and I simplying annoucned, "Hello, I'm staying!" She had a shocked look on her face, but she invited me in plus probably called my mother who came to pick me up after a short spell. I was allowed to play with Becky and Michele in the meantime, but I wanted to stay. LOL. Bonnie was the sweetest person I knew at the time and I was onlyh 3 years old. I hope our mother's are chit=chatting together in heaven reliving all the good times!