Susan Bonham

Susan Bonham of Temple, Texas, passed away at Baylor Scott and White Hospital on Sept. 24, 2025. She was 70 years old.

Susan was born on Feb. 5, 1955, in Tuscola, Illinois, to Robert and Betty Priest Benner. Shortly after graduating from Tuscola High School in 1973, she married Glen Helmka. They had two children, Trina and Travis.

Susan spent several decades living in Texas before returning to Illinois, where she met Roger Bonham of Atwood. The couple, who enjoyed listening to music at Penn Station in Arthur, were married on May 5, 2018.

Following Roger's death in 2021, Susan returned to Texas to be near her family. She moved to a senior living apartment in Temple, where she enjoyed Bible studies, bingo and social events.

She also loved gatherings with her son-in-law's family for Sunday church, lunches, playing board games, crocheting, reading, playing solitaire and having "girls' days out" with her daughter and granddaughter. Her eyes would light up with pride whenever she talked about her granddaughter, Sarah.

She was looking forward to a family trip to Big Bend National Park in October. Her daughter, son, son-in-law and granddaughter plan to spread some of her ashes under the Big Bend stars, which she was so excited to see. While the family is disappointed that she won't get to make that trip, they know her view of those stars from heaven, standing next to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is even greater than the view from down here.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Trina (Will) Rogers and granddaughter Sarah, of Temple; her son Travis Helmka of Bryan, Texas; her brothers Kenneth (Karen) Benner, Charles (Susan) Benner; and sister Brenda Deaville (Ken Stanberry), all of Tuscola. She had many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by her stepsons, Patrick (Donna) Bonham of Atwood and Jonathan Bonham of Casey, as well as step-grandchildren.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, brother-in-law, Tim Deaville, and her parents.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Susan's name to Hospice Hearts Animal Rescue, PO Box 17605, Urbana, Illinois 61803.