Bonnie K. Eighner, 80, of Rankin, IL passed away October 18, 2018 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 29, 1938 in Paxton, IL, the daughter of Gustav “Gus” and Evelyn “Ev” Johnson Seidel. She married Michael A. Eighner on September 9, 1956 in Rankin. He preceded her in death on July 15, 1990.
She was a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church in Rankin and a member of the Rankin Lions Club. In her early adult life she was a cub scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and Rankin Junior Woman’s Club member. Bonnie was a barber for twenty-eight years working beside her husband and her daughter, Debbie, at Chanute Air Force Base and at the Hair Force Barber Shop in Rantoul. Along with her husband and her family, she operated the Dairy Queens in Milford and Paxton. She loved to cook and entertain her family and friends; she always had a house full. She enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years. She was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Illini sports fan. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bonnie is survived by her five children, Michael (Leisa) Eighner of Camden, TN and their children, Jared Eighner, Ariel (TJ) Clark and Brandy (Craig) Eighner; Sherri (David) Cox of Paxton, IL and their children, Katie (Nate) Grice, Kelsey Cox and Kendall Cox; Debbie (Les) Symmonds of Rankin, IL and their children, Nathan (Hannah) Symmonds and Shelby Symmonds; Lisa (Brock) Breymeyer of Rankin, IL and their children, Dillon Eighner, Lexie Breymeyer and Lacie Breymeyer; Mark (Robin) Eighner of Rankin, IL and their children, Graham Eighner and Gracie Eighner; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim Seidel of Springfield, IL; two sisters-in-law, Linda Seidel of Gulf Shores, AL, Jean Eighner of Hoopeston, IL; many nieces and nephews; and a special family friend, Brenda Mundell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson, Michael A. Symmonds and brother, Will Seidel.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church in Rankin with Pastor Jennifer Hartweg-Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Rankin Union Cemetery in Rankin. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 and one hour prior to the funeral service at Grace Lutheran Church , 102 South Johnson, Rankin, IL. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Rankin. Arrangements were entrusted to Eighner Funeral Home and grandson Kendall Cox. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to Eighnerfuneralhomes.com
