Bonita “Bonnie” Lynn Hamilton, 74 passed away at Diversicare of Chanute on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Bonnie was born March 2, 1950 to James and Esther Greenwood of Galesburg, Kansas. In 1956 the family moved to a farm near Stark, Kansas where Bonnie attended elementary and high school, graduating from Erie High School in 1968. Bonnie played the saxophone in band and sang in choir. After high school Bonnie attended Neosho County Community College and worked for garment factories in Chanute and Parsons. On May 8, 1970 Bonnie and Ronald L. Hamilton were married at the United Brethren in Christ Church in Chanute by Rev. Edgar Rains, the same minister who performed her parents’ wedding.
Survivors are her husband, Ronald L. Hamilton, their children Kevin C. Hamilton of Petrolia and Theresa L. Blanchard, also of Petrolia, and four grandchildren: Cole Hamilton, Jax Hamilton, Mackenzie Blanchard, and Abby Blanchard. Siblings: Kathy Heald (Ron) of Wichita, Debi Rogers (Steve) of Lubbock, Texas, Jan White (Jim) Larned, Judi Wright (Jamie) of Chanute, and Jim (Lee) Greenwood of Lindsay, Oklahoma. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Esther Greenwood and brother, Tom Greenwood. Bonnie had a deep love for God from an early age.
She became a Christian as a teen at a church camp she attended with the Savonburg Covenant Church. She and Ron were members of the United Brethren in Christ Church in Chanute for 55+ years. Bonnie always had a strong, beautiful alto voice and frequently sang specials in church and was a member of a singing group, Chrystal Image. Bonnie loved old church hymns and knew them all by heart. Growing up on a farm Bonnie was involved in such activities as driving a tractor, taking a load of wheat to the elevator, hauling hay, and milking the family cow. She was a good farm hand. Bonnie was a very gentle, kind person who always had a smile on her face. Bonnie was especially kind to children and elderly people. She had many friends from her childhood that she stayed in contact with and checked on regularly. She never met a stranger, and she loved to laugh and have fun. The staff at Diversicare lovingly called her “bonbon” and described her as “spunky” and “giddy.” Bonnie was a very loving, nurturing person with a gentle spirit. She loved people and animals. She got her first horse, Topsy at the age of ten and always had family dogs she was very close to. As the oldest daughter and having five younger siblings, she always had a baby on her hip as she helped Mom take care of the little kids. Bonnie was especially close to her older brother Tom who was mentally handicapped. She fiercely defended and protected him and always checked on him as an adult to make sure he was OK. Bonnie faced many difficult health challenges in her life, including struggles with mental health issues and breast cancer. Her faithful, loving husband, Ron, and those who knew and loved her remembered and appreciated who she was before dementia, always looking out for her and seeking to find the best treatment and care possible, while still preserving her dignity and independence. She was a fighter and lived another twenty years after surviving stage 4 breast cancer. S h e was a light in all of our lives and will be sorely missed.
The family will greet friends on Friday October 11, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Highland Avenue United Brethren Church and a Celebration of Bonnie’s life will follow at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions can be left in Bonnie’s name to the Autism Society and can be left with the funeral home. The family of Bonnie Hamilton have entrusted Countryside Funeral Home with arrangements.
