Bonnie A. Bohan

Bonnie Anne Bohan (née Burgess), age 85, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, in Lisle, Illinois. Born on April 8, 1941, in Highland Park, Michigan, Bonnie lived a full and meaningful life marked by her dedication to family, faith, and community.

Bonnie was the beloved wife of Jim Bohan, married for almost 64 years, and a devoted mother to her daughters Karyn Merriman, Nancy Bohan, and Kristine Dearing (Terry). She was also a loving grandmother to Stephanie, Kevin (Amber), Amanda (JD), Jessalyn (Christian), and Greyson (Lacie), along with a great-grandmother to Bailey, Betsy, and Annabelle. She is also survived by her sister Claire Chrest (the late Tony), sister Jane Everett and her brother John Burgess (Barb). Bonnie was preceded in death by her mother Anne Burgess (née Cullen) and her father Virgil Burgess.

Growing up, her family lived in Ithaca and Scarsdale, New York; and Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan. As a child, she loved to dance with her siblings and would practice with Claire—very much in the spirit of the 1950s. When her younger sister Jane wanted to join, they had her practice while holding onto a doorknob. Before long, their brother John was recruited to join the dance party as well.

Bonnie met the love of her life, Jim, through their time in the Civil Air Patrol. They married and, together, settled in the Chicagoland area, where they built a life together and raised their family.

Bonnie enjoyed a long and successful 20+ year career with McDonald’s, including time spent at the original Des Plaines location, where she welcomed everyone with a warm smile. After retiring, she moved to Mayport, Florida for several years to help care for Jessalyn and Greyson while Kristine was serving in the US Navy.

While raising her family in Des Plaines, Bonnie was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. Her connection to her church community was an important part of her life and led to her fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning to play the piano.

Bonnie always had a love for travel and exploring new places. While raising her family with Jim, they often went camping throughout the Midwest, where they explored lakes, hiked trails, wandered sand dunes, and enjoyed the occasional adventure of picking blackberries. Later in life, she continued her travels, visiting family across the country. She also developed a love for cruising, which took her to destinations such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, New England, Canada, Cuba, Alaska, and Northern California. She fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling to Europe, which included a road trip across Ireland and visits to iconic landmarks such as Trinity College, Buckingham Palace, and the Eiffel Tower.

Known for her loving nature and warm spirit, Bonnie welcomed everyone with open arms. She was family-oriented and cherished the time spent with loved ones. Each summer, she looked forward to spending time at the pool, visiting with friends and family. Her kindness and sweet demeanor left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

We say goodbye to a remarkable woman, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, and a kind soul. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the love, joy, and kindness that were the essence of Bonnie’s being.