Obituary for Bonnie H. Kirkman
KIRKMAN, BONNIE H.
Kirkman, Bonnie H, 93, of Louisville, passed on to Heaven on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
Bonnie was born in 1929 on a farm in rural Washington County, Indiana, daughter of Omer and Inez Hardin. After her Daddy died when she was 10, the family moved to Salem, Indiana, where she graduated high school. Bonnie then enrolled at Butler College and received her degree in religious studies in 1951. While at Butler, Bonnie met the love of her life, Bob Kirkman, and literally fell at his feet while they were together on a church youth outing.
Bonnie and Bob married in July 1952, and Bob then became the Pastor at Edenside Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where they shared a ministry for 35 years. Sons Paul and David came along in 1956 and 1959. In those years, Bonnie was very active in the church as the pastor’s wife and through Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF). She was also very active in the PTA on behalf of the boys.
When the boys were older, Bonnie returned to college to get her teaching certificate, and then became a Special Education teacher at the Alfred Binet School in Louisville in 1971. Bonnie was a wonderful, patient, and loving teacher, touching the lives of several hundred children with learning disabilities. She loved teaching through her 23-year career.
Bob and Bonnie enjoyed their retirement years together with extensive travel and interim ministry work in churches throughout the Louisville area, until Bob lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease in 2016. They shared love and life for 64 years. After Bob’s passing, Bonnie continued to enjoy life with friends and fellow members at Hurstbourne Christian Church in Louisville. Bonnie then moved to be closer to family at an assisted living facility in Naples, Florida. She was active there enjoying many daily activities and friendships until just a few days before she passed. Bonnie made new friends everywhere she went, sharing her beautiful smile, and greeting folks with the phrase “Hello Friend.”
Giving thanks for Bonnie’s life are sons Paul (Ellen) and David (Nani); grandchildren Ashley (Tom), Jonathan (Ashley), and Jackie; step-grandchildren Sarah (Sam), Clara, and Joseph; great-grandchildren Hudson, Caleb, Colin, Julia, and Noah; and step-great grandchildren Alexander and Nicholas.
The family will have a private entombment at Resthaven Cemetery on Saturday morning, December 10, 2022. Bonnie’s memorial service will be later that same day at Hurstbourne Christian Church, 601 Nottingham Parkway at 1:00 p.m., followed immediately by a reception and visitation. Highlands Funeral Home in Louisville is handling all arrangements.
Memorials can be sent to the Permanent Fund of Hurstbourne Christian Church or to the Christian Church Foundation.
Kirkman, Bonnie H, 93, of Louisville, passed on to Heaven on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
Bonnie was born in 1929 on a farm in rural Washington County, Indiana, daughter of Omer and Inez Hardin. After her Daddy died when she was 10, the family moved to Salem, Indiana, where she graduated high school. Bonnie then enrolled at Butler College and received her degree in religious studies in 1951. While at Butler, Bonnie met the love of her life, Bob Kirkman, and literally fell at his feet while they were together on a church youth outing.
Bonnie and Bob married in July 1952, and Bob then became the Pastor at Edenside Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where they shared a ministry for 35 years. Sons Paul and David came along in 1956 and 1959. In those years, Bonnie was very active in the church as the pastor’s wife and through Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF). She was also very active in the PTA on behalf of the boys.
When the boys were older, Bonnie returned to college to get her teaching certificate, and then became a Special Education teacher at the Alfred Binet School in Louisville in 1971. Bonnie was a wonderful, patient, and loving teacher, touching the lives of several hundred children with learning disabilities. She loved teaching through her 23-year career.
Bob and Bonnie enjoyed their retirement years together with extensive travel and interim ministry work in churches throughout the Louisville area, until Bob lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease in 2016. They shared love and life for 64 years. After Bob’s passing, Bonnie continued to enjoy life with friends and fellow members at Hurstbourne Christian Church in Louisville. Bonnie then moved to be closer to family at an assisted living facility in Naples, Florida. She was active there enjoying many daily activities and friendships until just a few days before she passed. Bonnie made new friends everywhere she went, sharing her beautiful smile, and greeting folks with the phrase “Hello Friend.”
Giving thanks for Bonnie’s life are sons Paul (Ellen) and David (Nani); grandchildren Ashley (Tom), Jonathan (Ashley), and Jackie; step-grandchildren Sarah (Sam), Clara, and Joseph; great-grandchildren Hudson, Caleb, Colin, Julia, and Noah; and step-great grandchildren Alexander and Nicholas.
The family will have a private entombment at Resthaven Cemetery on Saturday morning, December 10, 2022. Bonnie’s memorial service will be later that same day at Hurstbourne Christian Church, 601 Nottingham Parkway at 1:00 p.m., followed immediately by a reception and visitation. Highlands Funeral Home in Louisville is handling all arrangements.
Memorials can be sent to the Permanent Fund of Hurstbourne Christian Church or to the Christian Church Foundation.