Bonita L. Hymer

Bonita Louise Hymer, born on January 31, 1948, passed away on June 5, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi Saint Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

Her life was one marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep devotion to the people she loved. She was the daughter of Marvin and Dorothy Ellington, both of whom preceded her in death.

Bonita’s life took her through several chapters of love and family. She first married Dan Wilcox, and later Alan Thurston, and she welcomed children during both of those marriages. On September 4, 1988, she married Kenneth Hymer, the partner with whom she built a steady, loving home until his passing. She was the proud mother of two children. Her daughter, Lisa Lynn Williams, preceded her in death, and her son, James Alan Thurston, survives her, along with his significant other, Christina Riddick.

Bonita also embraced her role as a stepmother. She was preceded in death by stepdaughters Diana LittleHawk and Joanna Hymer. She is survived by stepchildren Susan Glasgow, Jerry Hymer and his spouse Martha Hymer, Kim Hymer, and Connie Myers and her spouse Todd Myers. Her family tree continued to grow through her grandchildren: Amanda McDermet and her spouse, Jared, Deanna Simpson, Katelyn Williams, Chris Glasgow, Stephanie Hodge, William Hymer, Angela Tanksley, Melissa Greenfield, Shelby Boswell, Tayler Jordan, and several great‑grandchildren who brought her joy and pride.

Bonita spent many years as a homemaker, pouring her energy into raising her children and creating a warm, welcoming home. She later worked at TG&Y, Builders Square, and Home Depot, where she became the lead of shipping and receiving. Her coworkers knew her as someone who could be counted on — steady, capable, and unafraid to roll up her sleeves. She was a woman of remarkable talents.

Bonita loved sewing and was an avid reader who always had a book nearby. She also found joy in cooking meals that brought her family together. A loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan, she cheered with enthusiasm and never missed a chance to talk football. She played numerous musical instruments, enjoyed gardening, and had a remarkable ability to fix or repair almost anything. Her compassion extended beyond people; she cared for many feral cats over the years, making sure they were fed, sheltered, and loved in the ways she could offer. Bonita will be remembered for her strength, her independence, her humor, and her boundless ability to care for others. Her legacy lives on in the love she gave, the strength she showed, and the many lives she quietly made better.

A graveside service for Bonita will be held at Restlawn Gardens of Memory, Newton, Kansas on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM.