Bonnie Lee Bishop

Bonnie Lee Bishop of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, went to her heavenly home on Jan. 24, 2021, 35 days short of her 89th birthday, at Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility in Stockton, Missouri, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.  She was born February 28, 1932, to Orville Butler and Mertie (Combs) Butler in El Dorado Springs. Bonnie was raised on a farm in the Stockton/Cane Hill area.

Bonnie accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior as a young girl, age eleven, at a small country church and maintained her faith throughout her life.  Although unable to attend church in her later years she maintained her membership in the Union Hall Baptist Church.

Bonnie married John Ira Bishop on July 29, 1950.  From this union one daughter was born, Nelmay (Bishop) Vilhauer. John and Bonnie lived in the Stockton and El Dorado Springs area all of their lives. They were married for sixty years before John passed away in 2010. Bonnie was a very talented person with tremendous household skills. She had a green thumb that just wouldn’t quit. She loved flowers and could raise the biggest and most beautiful flowers whether they were indoors or out. She was a professional when it came to sewing. She sewed clothes that were better than those you could purchase in the store. Her cooking was outstanding, and many people got to sample some of her wares over the years. No one ever went away hungry. She was especially known for her pies. Bonnie and John operated Bonnie’s Snak Shack at auctions for a period of time. People would order whole pies and would drive miles just to eat a slice of her pies and other goodies she had prepared. One time a lady purchased a pie from Bonnie. She entered it into a pie contest and won first place. The lady gave Bonnie the trophy but kept the prize money, which was more than the pie cost her. They not only tasted good, but they were always beautiful.  Stan will never forget the pineapple pie that was always ready for him to take back to college with him on Sunday evenings.

Bonnie spent many years working at International Shoe Company, The Shirt Factory, and Witt Printing. She retired her working career to spend time with and babysit her pride and joy, John, her grandson. Many happy days were spent teaching him and giving him the artistic talents he has to this day.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Mertie Butler; step mother, Gertie Lee (Marshall) Butler; her beloved Granny Rhett; husband, John Ira Bishop; granddaughter, Stephanie Renee Vilhauer; half brothers: Billy Butler, Elvin Butler, Tommy Butler, and Jerry Butler; half sister, Carol Butler; and many other uncles, aunts, cousins.

Surviving family include daughter Nelmay (Bishop) Vilhauer and husband, Stanley, of El Dorado Springs; grandson and fiancée, John Stephen Vilhauer and Kristen Schlaud of Chicago, Illinois; half brothers: Frank Butler, Barn Butler, and Eber Butler; half sister, Ruby Ann Butler; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for Bonnie will be held Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery with Rev. Chad Daniel officiating under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the El Dorado Springs Senior Center in care of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Due to the higher levels of Covid in Cedar County, we are asking people attending the service to wear a mask and social distance.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.