Name: Memorial service for Bonnie Carol Wilkerson
Start: 2015-08-15T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-08-15T18:00:00.000Z
Location: At Funeral Home

Dr. Bonnie Carol Wilkerson, 67, died Tuesday, July 14, 2015, from complications related to cancer. Graveside service: 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in Greenwood Memorial Park. Reception: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Greenwood Live Oak Room. Memorials: The family requests that memorials in Bonnie's name be sent to a charitable organization of choice or the Altus Hospice in Round Rock. Bonnie was born June 5, 1948, in Fort Worth and graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in 1966. She held a B.S. in elementary education from the North Texas State University (now UNT), an M.S.Ed. in reading and an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois University. Bonnie retired in 2008 from the Northbrook, Ill., School District 27 where she served as assistant superintendent for curriculum. Prior to that she served as director of research, evaluation and assessment in Elgin, Ill., School District U46, and principal in the St. Charles, Ill., CUSD303. After retirement Bonnie bought property in Michigan and began beekeeping and organic gardening until her beekeeping efforts were interrupted by a visit from a black bear who tore apart one hive and ate all the honey. She and close friends, David and Carol Bottimer, were recently busy devising ways to discourage the bear from returning. Bonnie's teaching experience ranged from her early professional experiences with elementary children to serving as an instructor and part-time assistant professor at Northern Illinois University. Bonnie was a member of the National Forum of Education Statistics with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Association of Test Directors, the liaison to the National Forum on Education Statistics and the Illinois State Board of Education. She chaired the statewide Young Authors Conference in Illinois and was also a guest reviewer of manuscripts for "The Reading Teacher," a national publication of the International Reading Association. Bonnie was a unique and talented individual who lived life to the fullest. Bonnie is the daughter of the late Walter William Wilkerson II and the late Louise Wilkerson Lewis. Survivors: Son, Joseph M. Greenslade and wife, Valerie; granddaughters, Moira, Caitlin and Bridget; daughter, Heather Greenslade; grandsons, Oliver and Walter Hanshaw; sisters, Priscilla Schaeffer and Meridith South; brother, W.W. "Trey" Wilkerson III; friends of more than 50 years, Diane and Stanley Rowell; friend and travel companion of more than 40 years, Jane Davidson; and special friends, Rosemary Gerrans, Camille Peck, Virginia Cassidy, Nancy and Gary Padak.

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Published by Star-Telegram from Aug. 9 to Aug. 12, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Bonnie Wilkerson

Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.

12 Entries

June 23, 2017

I had no idea and just found this information on Ancestry My deepest condolences
Van A Cohen

Beverly Middleton

August 14, 2015

I have known Bonnie since we were 2 years old. I lived at 2917 Ryan Place Dr, and she was 1/2 block from me. I remember spending lots of hours at Bonnie's house. Bonnie was always such a sweetheart, funny, bright. My condolences to Trey, Meridith, Priscilla, Jane, Heather and Joseph. I am so sorry for your loss, a great loss indeed. I will always remember Bonnie with fondness and a smile.
Beverly Agee Middleton

Meg Pyterek

August 11, 2015

I knew Bonnie as a professional colleague when she was our Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum in Northbrook, Illinois. I knew her even better as a personal friend when we retired with two other special individuals the same year, 2008. Our group of four enjoyed many lunches together as we shared our retired teacher experiences. We will miss Bonnie and will always reflect on her caring friendship.

August 11, 2015

Because she was a friend of friends of mine, I got to know Bonnie in her later years. She was one of the funniest people I have met. But, under the laughter and the hilarious stories, her love of her family, friends, the children she served, and the earth was clear. Like others who knew and loved her, I would have liked more time.

August 11, 2015

My deepest condolences to your family. I worked directly under Bonnie as the reading coordinator in Northbrook. She often talked about her family and friends and how much she cared for them. She will be missed.
Laura Singer

Lydia Keehn

August 10, 2015

Bonnie was a mentor first who became a dear friend. I became the teacher I was because of her guidance. I will miss her laughter and her smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to Heather, Joseph and Jane. Bonnie will always have a place in my heart.

August 10, 2015

Bonnie and I met in the late '60s in College Station and enjoyed fun times during her early years of teaching. She was a beautiful and talented woman who has left us far too soon. My heartfelt condolences go out to Bonnie's family and friends. Ceci Morris

Parker Nelson

August 10, 2015

Thoughts and condolences in memory of one of that great group of Daggett/Paschal ladies among whom Bonnie was so special.

Lee Veal

August 9, 2015

This is going to be long, but since I'll never be able to talk to Bonnie again, I thought I'd share a few of my memories about Bonnie with her loved ones.

I am deeply saddened by the death of this dear, dear woman. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her.

I knew Bonnie from long ago and far away. She and I met in our first grade class at E.M. Daggett elementary school on College and Elizabeth Blvd in Fort Worth, Tx. Ms. Du Vall was our teacher. I was always impressed with her. As I recall she sat right behind me in class. I think we must've been seated in alphabetical order (V then W); probably to assist Ms. Du Vall to figure out who each of these new batch of creatures were. Bonnie was probably the smartest kid in our class. Informally on that first day, she taught me how to spell 'yes'. At one point though, I taught her how to count from 1 to 10 in Spanish; she probably mastered it quickly.

We were in the same 2nd grade class, too, Ms. Moore was our 2nd grade class teacher.

My family moved from south Fort Worth (South Adams St) to Azle, Tx between my 2nd and 3rd grade years. By that time, Bonnie and had become relatively good friends, so, we wrote letters to each other through the 6th or 7th grade.

My grandparents lived on the 2900 block of Ryan Place drive, and Bonnie's family lived on the end of the 2800 block of the same street (basically catty-corner from each other). On visits to my grandparents' place, I'd go to Bonnie's home. If she was there, we'd spend time catching up and talking. I valued those times. She was a special person, and I've always had fond memories of her. The last time I remember talking to her was by phone in the summer of 1966. We talked about everything and nothing, but we must've talked for an hour or more. I was staying with my aunt and uncle in Fort Worth trying to earn enough to pay my tuition at Tyler Jr. College by working at the Mrs. Baird's bakery on Summit Street. So, I looked up her mom's phone # in the directory and Bonnie was there, when I called, so we talked and talked.

She was an impressive human being in too many ways to even mention (though her obit covers several laudable accomplishments) but a person is more than her/his accomplishments. A person is an incarnation of love, compassion, caring and many other traits, all of which Bonnie had in spades.

I'm certain that Bonnie was loved greatly and I'm even more certain that she will be missed.

Even though we haven't talked in close to 50 years, I know that I will miss sharing this world with you, Bonnie.

Sincerely,

Lee Veal

p.s. Cancer is an insidious disease. My wife (Carol Ann Evans) of 42 1/2 years succumbed to the ravages of breast cancer after a valiant 8-year battle. She died just over 5 years ago.

L

August 9, 2015

I remember Bonnie with so much energy and caring for others. I went from elementary school to high school with her .

I will miss her pretty smile. Beverly Finkelston Cohn. Beverly S. Rosenthal

Vicki Hayden-Willer

August 9, 2015

I will always remember what a bright and beautiful young lady she was. She was one of those rare individuals who accepted and loved you no matter who you were, either popular or introverted. A bright star will shine because of her spirit and love for all. Beautiful thoughts to her family. She was one of those special individuals who was loved and admired (not only for her graciousness and beauty, but also for her inner acceptance for all) by all who knew her. May you shine brightly, Bonnie. Vicki Hayden Willer

August 9, 2015

Since our high school days at Paschal and our XNILES sister days, Bonnie has accomplished so much and I am in awe of her fulfilled large life that she led while on this earth. I will never forget her laughter, her beauty and the great times we had together in Ft. worth. My heart goes out to her children and also for the world's loss of such a great woman! Will miss your adventures on Facebook! Will remember her always! Love, Jeanne Shirejian Andelman

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