St. Mary of the Woods, IN - OBITUARY NOTICE

NAME: Sister Eileen Rose Bonner AGE: 93

PARISH/ TOWN: St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana

Submitted by Sr. Maureen Fallon

Sister Eileen Rose Bonner died on May 5, 2026, at 12:45p.m., in Providence Health Care. She was born on May 29, 1932 in Whiting, IN to John and Rose Byrne Bonner and was baptized Bridget Mary.

Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 8, 1950 and professed Final Vows August 15, 1957. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Indiana State University. Of her 76 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 25 years in schools in Indiana and Illinois. She then became a certified chaplain and served for 30 years in three medical centers in Louisville, KY. In her retirement, she remained in Louisville and gave service in a variety of ways, including being a GED tutor, an ESL teacher, a soup kitchen volunteer, and a bereavement volunteer for her parish. Sister Eileen Rose is most remembered for her kind and attentive conversations during which she always listened with her gentle heart.

Sister Eileen Rose is survived a brother, Neil Bonner of Oceanside, CA. She is preceded in death by a brother, John Bonner, and two sisters, Sheila Bonner and Sister Brigid Ann Bonner, SP. The wake is on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with the wake service at 4:30 p.m. The wake continues on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Reverend Terry Johnson presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. The DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

INDIANA

Holy Family, Jasper, 1956-57; St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes, 1957-63; Immaculate Heart, Indianapolis, (principal/teacher) 1963-69; St.Jude, Fort Wayne, 1969-70; St. Luke, Indianapolis, (principal) 1973-75; Nativity, Indianapolis, 1975-77.

ILLINOIS

Immaculate Conception, Norwood Park, 1952-56.

KENTUCKY

Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, Louisville, (chaplain) 1987-97; Carital Medical Center, Louisville, (chaplain) 1998-2002; Kentuckiana Cancer Institute, (volunteer) 2002-2008.