Gloria JoAnn Bonilla Garcia, 83 passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026 with her son by her side.
Gloria was born on Dec. 9, 1943, in Chanute. The daughter of Nicholas and Paula (Godinez) Bonilla.
Gloria attended school at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church through ninth grade and graduated from Chanute High School.
Gloria married Joe Garcia on July 24, 1965 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute. They resided in Ottawa, Kansas before moving to Chanute. Where they made their home when Joe took a job with the Santa Fe Railroad. Gloria was a homemaker who always put her family first. Gloria raised two children, Melissa and Joe Jr.
Gloria was a devout Catholic, and member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She instilled good values and a deep religious belief in her children and grandchildren.
She enjoyed reading and collecting books, solving puzzles, spending time with family, going on annual vacations, enjoyed being outside and going on walks.
She was an early supporter of the Chanute Mexican Fiesta. As a young girl she danced for the Fiesta when it was held in the area of town known as “Little Mexico.” Through the years she enjoyed attending the Chanute Mexican Fiesta to reminisce with family and friends, enjoy the music, and take part in all the festivities.
Gloria leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory, and her caring ways, including her daughter Melissa Thurman (Nick) Chanute, her son Joe Jr. of the home. Her grandchildren Michael Thurman (Nelly) Crystal Lake, Illinois, Ashley Webb (Tyler) Longton Kansas, and Angie Carman McHenry, Illinois. Great Grandchildren Tiana, Ty, Jaylyn, Kash, Salem, Tianna, and Arabella. Her sisters Rosalie Herynk (Jeff) Chanute, and Sara Martinez (Mike, Jenny, Mark) Midwest City Oklahoma. Her nephew Mario Bonilla Lawrence, and sister-in-law Carolyn Ross Bonilla (Stan, Ronda, Andy) Kansas City.
Glora is preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Paula, her husband Joe, her brother Frank Bonilla, her sister-in-law Genevieve Bonilla, her nephew Christopher Bonilla, brotherin- law Reuben Martinez, niece Jackie Trujillo, and our family Airedale, Benji.
Her funeral and rosary will be on Tuesday, March 17 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The rosary will begin at 11 a.m., mass at 11:30, followed by burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic School in Chanute. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.
