Rita Josephine Bonilla, 66, died Sunday, October 28, 2012 at St. Francis Health Center, Topeka, KS.
She was born March 7, 1946 at Hutchinson, the daughter of Theodore Patricio and Josephine Garcia Mora.
A homemaker, Rita was a 1964 graduate of St. Teresa High School as well as a graduate of Salt City Business College, Hutchinson. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Ladies Altar Society, and Crusidiastas. Moving to Salina ten years ago to be near her children, she belonged to Sacred Heart Cathedral and LULAC (League of United Latin Citizens), Salina Chapter.
On August 5, 1972 she married Bidal “Bill” Bonilla at Hutchinson. He died July 30, 2000.
She is survived by her three daughters, Rita (James) Springwater and Stephanie (Jason) Tatum, both of Salina, and Melissa (John) Bonilla-Carter, Topeka; siblings, Raymond Mora, Martha Gentry, and Mary Hamby all three of Hutchinson, Rachel Ellison, Longmont, CO, and Elizabeth Bonilla, Salina; 11 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Michael “Mike” Mora; and sister, Bertha Garza.
Rosary will be 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 1, 2012 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home Chapel, Hutchinson. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 2, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson with Father Ned J. Blick presiding. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park.
Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Rita J. Bonilla Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Please visit www.penwellgabelhutchinson.com to leave personal condolences for the family.