Bonita Irene Thomas, 64, 707 Jackson Heights Road, Plymouth, died in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind., at 7:14 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2002. Known to her family and friends as “Bonnie,” she had been in fragile health since 1989. A Plymouth area resident most of her life, she also had lived in Kewanna and Monterey, Ind.
Bonnie was born on July 30, 1937, in Monterey, Ind., the daughter of Everett E. and Bonnie Bell Hedges Lowe. She attended Monterey and Culver schools.
She made her home with her long-time, loving companion, William “Bill” Hoppe.
For many years Bonnie waitressed in local restaurants. For nearly 20 years, until her health deteriorated, she worked as Laundry Supervisor in Miller’s Merry Manor, Walkerton.
Bonnie enjoyed country music and visits over coffee with family and friends. She loved her children and grandchildren and was involved with their many activities.
A member of the Methodist faith, she was a former member of the Women of the Moose and the American legion Auxiliary # 27.
In addition to Bill Hoppe, Bonnie is survived by two daughters, a son, three step-sons and two step- daughters.
They are: daughters; Debbie and Rod Shock, Houghton Lake, Michigan, and Daryla Monesmith, Warsaw, Ind. Her son is Douglas and Vicky Harmon, LaPaz, Ind.
Step-sons are: Robert L. Thomas, Koontz Lake, Ind., Brian and Jo Etta Hoppe, Plymouth, Ind., and William T. Hoppe, South Bend, Ind. The step-daughters are Anita and Larry Boetsma, Culver, Ind., and Susan Sheehan, Plymouth.
Sixteen grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews also survive, together with a sister, Virginia Adams, El Cajun, Calif., a brother, Alfred “Bud” Lowe, Cassopolis, Mich., Janet (Mrs. Harold) Lowe, a sister-in-law, Rochester, Ind., and Don Thompson, a brother-in-law, Knox, Ind..
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, three sister and three brothers. The sisters are Eleanor Rubarts Marjorie Sellers and Erma Jean Thompson. The brothers are Harold, Everett, Jr., and Lawrence Lowe.
Visitation with Bonnie’s family will be from 3 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 19, 2002, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, in the funeral home. The Rev. Charles Krieg, pastor of the Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Bonnie’s memory may be made to the Leukemia Society of America.
Leukemia Society of America Indiana Chapter 921 E. 86th. St., Suite 205 Indianapolis, IN. 46240