Bonnie Gilliom

Bonnie Lee Gilliom, age 82, a resident of Upper Arlington, and a retired instructor at The Ohio State University passed away at Kobacker House on January 5, 2016 after experiencing a stroke on January 3. Bonnie was born in Mansfield, Ohio on March 1, 1933, the daughter of the late Gregor Leonard Cherp and Rella Jacobs Cherp. She is survived by her husband M. Eugene, son Gregor (and wife Jamie) of Upper Arlington, Daughter Julia (and husband Allen) Domingos of Aspen, Colorado, and three grandchildren—Garrett and Griffin Gilliom of Upper Arlington, and Eliza Domingos of Aspen, Colorado.

Bonnie graduated from Bellville High School in 1951 and from Heidelberg College in 1955, where she completed a double major in English and Health & Physical Education. Bonnie was very active in a wide range of activities at Heidelberg. She served as co-editor of the award-winning student newspaper, president of the Philalathean sorority, and head majorette of the marching band. She was honored with membership in Senior Laureate and was elected to Pi Delta Epsilon, Kappa Delta Pi, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. In her senior year, Bonnie was selected to be the homecoming queen. Bonnie pursued graduate studies at The Ohio State University, where she completed a master’s degree in Educational Television in 1961. In 1971 she completed a PhD in The College of Education with a major in Educational Communications and minors in Speech and Curriculum Studies. In 1976 she pursued postgraduate studies at the Tucson Creative Dance Center and in 1978 at Chelsea School of Human Movement in England.

From 1955 to 1958 Bonnie taught at Thomas Jefferson Jr. High School in Cleveland, and in 1958-59 she taught at Berea High School. From 1959 to 1962 she served as a television teacher on WOSU-TV for the Columbus Public Schools. From 1962 to 1965 she was on the faculty as a Lecturer in the Department of Physical Education at San Francisco State College in California. From 1971 to 1993 she held a variety of faculty positions at Ohio State University, including Instructor in Health and Physical Education, the Director/Developer of the Meanings, Modes and Moods of Movement Program, and the Associate Director of the Institute for the Advancement of the Arts in Education.

Bonnie’s work with the Institute was especially noteworthy because it provided her the opportunity to share her passion for the arts. Many hundreds of Columbus area teachers benefitted from their participation in Institute activities, and their lives were enriched through their introduction to the arts in their many forms. She served on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Very Special Arts Network, and the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Arts in Upper Arlington, Grandparents Living Theatre, and The Greater Columbus Arts Council.

During her career as an educator, Bonnie received many recognitions for her contributions as a teacher, author and program administrator. Among the most notable: an award presented by the Institute for Instruction by Radio and Television in recognition of her work as an innovative television teacher, a first place award presented by The Institute for Education by Radio-Television for her television series, “Physical Education for the Fifth and Sixth Grades,” and a Certificate of Commendation from the Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction for her pioneering work as a television teacher.

Bonnie was recognized for her creativity as a teacher, but also for her skill as a writer. Among her major publications were ITV: Promise into Practice and the groundbreaking book, Basic Movement Education for Children: Rationale and Teaching Units. This book was translated into a number of foreign languages and is still considered one of the key publications in the Basic Movement field.

Bonnie led a very active life, and she pursued her passions with zeal. She loved to ski, snorkel, dance, attend art events of all kinds, and experience other cultures through travel. Along with her husband, and often their children, Bonnie traveled abroad dozens of times and visited approximately 80 countries around the globe. She had a keen eye for unique art, and the Gilliom home is filled with works of art and artifacts gathered by Bonnie during her trips to all corners of the world. Bonnie’s zest for life, her winning smile, sense of humor and innate kindness will be missed by her many friends and former students, her children, grandchildren, and Gene, her husband for 59 years.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13 at the Faculty Club at The Ohio State University, 181 S. Oval Mall, Columbus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bonnie’s memory to The Heidelberg Fund, Heidelberg University, 310 East Market Street, Tiffin, OH 44883-2462. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel. Condolences may be sent to Bonnie’s family at www.Schoedinger.com