By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
38 Comments
    • Service

      Private Service
      Friday, April 10, 2020

    • Full Obituary

      Bonnie Marie Schilt, age 83 of West Salem, IL passed from this life to the next on April 7, 2020 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney.
      Bonnie was born on March 23, 1937 in Equality, IL to Minnie (Healy) and Ralph Stilley.
      Bonnie was raised in the Shawnee Forest, the daughter of a coal miner/farmer and those humble and honest roots kept her grounded her entire life long.
      She married Wayne Dale Schilt on October 31, 1958 at the First Baptist Church of Albion and they have enjoyed over 61 years together.
      Bonnie worked at Champion Laboratories for 39 years. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church and the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. She loved investing herself in people, visiting, and having a great time. A family member said of Bonnie, “She had five opinions, which she would share, and every one of them may have been identical, but she wanted you to know what she thought, and she cared!” Bonnie was not extravagant, but she had the heart of a servant and was beautiful in her simplicity.
      She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, Wendell Stilley, sister, Barbara Abendroth and daughter in law, Tammy Schilt.
      Bonnie is survived by her husband, Wayne; three sons: Kevin Schilt, Wesley (Lisa) Schilt, and Bradley (Jennifer) Schilt; grandchildren: Kelsey (Amanda) Schilt, Mykayla, Emily, Heaven, Destiny, and Jacob; and one brother, Lendon (Louise) Stilley. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
      Memorials are encouraged to Pleasant Grove Church and may be mailed to the funeral home at 241 West Main St, Albion, IL 62806.
      Due to the current federal and state-wide mandates in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, services for Bonnie will be held privately on Friday, April 10, 2020.
      Friends and extended family are encouraged to take the time to share those heartwarming, funny, serious and sincere condolences with her family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.
      The Schilt family will get through this and one of the ways they will, is with “a little help from their friends.”
      Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the services.

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    38 Condolences
     
    1. Bob and Pat Halterman / April 8, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      So sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. She was a sweetheart. Our sympathy to all of the family.

    2. judith a. markman / April 8, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      So sorry to learn of Bonnie’s passing. I always enjoyed talking to her-she was always so positive. To Wayne and family, my heartfelt condolences.

    3. janetjenner / April 8, 2020 at 4:14 pm

      So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort.

    4. David Snapp / April 8, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      Sorry to hear the news of Bonnie’s passing. Our prayers are going out for you all during these difficult times.

    5. Derinda Goble-Tynan / April 8, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      such a wonderful woman. condolences to Wayne & the boys.

    6. Colleen Gines / April 8, 2020 at 4:26 pm

      So sorry about Bonnies passing. Bonnie was probably the best friend my mother, Roberta Harris, ever had Bonnie was a loving caring mother and a friend to everyone. She always did everything she could for her community, church and friends. No finer person ever walked the face of this earth

    7. Judy Loudermilk / April 8, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      Was a friend and former coworker of Bonnie. She worked on an assembly line running parallel to my line. We had many a good conversation.

    8. Christine Chapman / April 8, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      Sorry for your loss. Prayers and Hugs for the Family ❤️🙏❤️🙏

    9. Beth seals / April 8, 2020 at 4:47 pm

      Bonnie was always caring for others. She was loving in the most genuine way. So sorry for your great loss

    10. John Hunt / April 8, 2020 at 4:55 pm

      So sorry for your loss. John Hunt.

    11. Alberta Jenner / April 8, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Bonnie was always pleasant to talk to and looked for ways that she could help other people. She will be missed! Wayne…boys and families we send you our sympathy. Theron and Alberta

    12. Larry and Kerri Tennant / April 8, 2020 at 5:30 pm

      We are so sorry for your loss and will keep you in our prayers.

    13. Karen Ellis / April 8, 2020 at 5:41 pm

      So sorry for the family’s loss. She was a sweet lady.

    14. Tim Yates / April 8, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      Iam so sorry for the Schilt family she was a very nice lady and will be missed by many

    15. Jeff and Shari Lynn / April 8, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      Kevin, Wes, Lisa and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. You all our in our prayers. It was a blessing knowing Bonnie. May God give you peace.

    16. Debbie Beadles from CNB / April 8, 2020 at 6:34 pm

      I want you to know my heart is with you all. Bonnie always had a smile, kind words, and yes an opinion! I always enjoyed helping Bonnie when she visited the bank. It was very hard to see her decline and hear what she had endured concerning her health. How Blessed I am and you all as well to have had a lot or a little of Bonnie in our lives! Please accept my heart felt sympathy during this most difficult time.

    17. Joe and deb couch / April 8, 2020 at 6:37 pm

      So sorry to hear this. She was always so friendly and loved teasing. She will be missed.

    18. Rebecca Sutton / April 8, 2020 at 6:50 pm

      Steve and I pray the Lord strengthens and comforts your family. May He give your family everlasting peace. Love in Christ, Steve and Rebecca Sutton

    19. Greg and Holly Mann / April 8, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      You have my sympathy with the loss of your mother/grandmother. May your good memories help as you deal with this.

    20. Quinn and Glenna Hunley / April 8, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      Bonnie will be missed by everyone, she touched so many peoples lifes and hearts. You all are in hearts and prayers. Loved talking to her everytime we ran into each other.

    21. Myrna Mason / April 8, 2020 at 7:54 pm

      So sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed visiting with her. I last visited with her just before Christmas in Rulers. Much sympathy to the whole family.

    22. NIcole Quinn Breaux / April 8, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      Kevin, so sorry to hear of your loss. Will be praying for all of y’all.

    23. Doug Spencer / April 8, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.

    24. Jane King Jones / April 8, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      Thinking of you during this time of loss. May God grant you peace and comfort as you journey through the days to come.

    25. David Greathouse / April 8, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      You are one of the kindest families to have ever lived in West Salem. I’m sorry for your loss, you all have made a small town a better place.

    26. Noel Madding / April 8, 2020 at 11:40 pm

      Brad , Wes and rest of the family so sorry to hear this news, You will be my prayers as you go thru this time.

    27. Geneva Stroughmatt / April 9, 2020 at 5:24 am

      Sending our condolences in your time of loss. Bonnie was a very special lady and was such a good mother with her interest in all of what her children did. May peace be with you in knowing she touched many lives and was loved by many.

    28. Doris pellom / April 9, 2020 at 9:27 am

      What a wonderful lady we have loss .
      Aunt Margie always looked forward to her calls ,Bonnie called her every day to see how she was doing .
      May God blessed Wayne and the whole family as Christians we no we will be united.
      We will have a hug party .
      Doris and Aunt Margie

    29. MaryJo G Barnard / April 9, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      Joy emanated from Bonnie, and she welcomed you into her world with pleasant conversation. Wayne, you and Bonnine raised three fine sons–very positive leaders. I enjoyed Wes as a bass in ECHS Choir in the old ECHS music room and Brad, who accomplished much as a musician, a dulcimer player, “leader of the band”–reallly played well!
      “Fine family” fits the Wayne and Bonnie Schilt family. God’s blessings will continue.
      MaryJo Grubb Barnard

    30. mary lemke / April 9, 2020 at 5:27 pm

      so sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. She was a great lady and i enjoyed working with her at champ in w. salem. hugs and prayers go out to all of the family.

    31. Lugenea Goodwin-Simms / April 9, 2020 at 5:57 pm

      Sending prayers for peace and confort

      I remember Bonnie in church
      She’d have that hymnal in hand and sing
      It was beautiful

    32. Terry Harper / April 9, 2020 at 8:41 pm

      Heartfelt sympathy to Bonnie’s family. I first met Bonnie in the summer of 1973 when I worked in shipping at Champ’s West Salem facility. We worked 3rd shift and Bonnie was so kind and helpful to me. It didn’t take long for Bonnie to teach me where the different filters were located in the warehouse. She had a little notebook that she updated daily as filter locations changed. It was always a joy to go to work each night because I knew Bonnie would make it fun. And I totally understand when you say “She had five opinions”……..and when she was done telling you those five opinions, you knew exactly where she stood on the topic! She was such a joy to work with and the bond created that summer remained throughout the years. Every time I would see Bonnie, we would pick up talking just like we had seen each other the day before…even though it may have been years. She was a delight to be around and we will all miss her. Praying for all of her family. God bless you all.

    33. Jack and DebbieBaker / April 9, 2020 at 9:18 pm

      So sorry to hear this she was such a hard worker and enjoyed taking care of others especially her family. She loved you all so much it was evident each time I ever spoke with her…her work here might be finished but I’m sure she is already busy in heaven. She was a great lady one I have always looked up to and aspire to be….so sorry for your loss.

    34. Tracy and Barbara McGill / April 9, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      So sorry for your loss. May God’s grace and your memories give you comfort and strength during this most difficult time. Sending prayers for peace.

    35. Beverly. Hall / April 10, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Bonnie has always been there for those in need. I feel the heartbeat of West Salem must have skipped a beat on the day she was called home. There is no doubt that she had a strong relationship with Jesus. She may have been friend to everyone, but she shined her light so that all could see who she served. And serve she did! We should have all taken lessons from her selfless act of giving. It was Bonnie who was there to keep me busy many years ago when my own brother went home to be with Jesus. Brad, Wes, Kevin and Wayne; you are all in my prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss.

    36. Evelyn yohe miller / April 11, 2020 at 11:58 am

      Bonnie was always a joy to talk too. Such a kind and thoughtful person. Bless her family and friends.

    37. Roberta Smith / April 18, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      Just now seen this in the paper. I was so schocked and sorry to learn. I will never forget her joyful smile with that laugh and the several memories I still have of her from the age of 7 when she was our neighbor and took care of my dog bite to the many other memories we would laugh about each time we seen each other.
      I’m gonna miss her. My prayers are with you Wayne and boys as you continue your lives without her until you meet her again.

    38. Destiny Schilt / November 9, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      think you for all your sayings of gramma Bonnie we went to her funeral I still miss her my mommy and my daddy really miss her she was the first family member to die thank you god bless gramma Bonnie and papa Wayne I just wish she came back.

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