1930 - 2024
Bonnie Lea Fildes Hill Phelan, 94, was born June 23, 1930 in Cedar Vale Kansas to Emile and Bessie
Kerfoot Fildes and died September 7, 2024 in Kremlin, Oklahoma. Services will be September 24, 2024 at
Stittsworth Funeral Chapel at 11:00 am with interment of ashes following at the Marshall North IOOF
cemetery.
Bonnie graduated from Grenola High School, Grenola, Kansas in 1948. She married James H (Jim) Hill on
June 15, 1948. Jim and Bonnie had 7 children, James (Cheryle), Lila, Teresa (Randy), Troy (Carolyn),
Mary, John (Kay) and Charles Joseph.
On January 27, 1991 Bonnie married Max Phelan in Marshall, Oklahoma.
Bonnie was an Avon representative for several years. She also worked at Gentry Drug Store and the
Covington Record newspaper. She spent several years as an Election Board worker for her local
precinct. She worked for a time at the Covington school cafeteria, where she saved her money and
purchased a Sears Coldspot deep freeze (which is still in use by family!) and our first clothes dryer! With
the help of Lillian Cline, she pared down the cafeteria recipes for goulash and wacky cake, which became
family favorites. Bonnie's homemade doughnut recipe is the exact same as Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
When you buy a Krispy Kreme, you can experience the same doughnut her children did many years ago.
She was a wonderful cook who managed to feed her family well with little money. During her "empty
nest" years, she enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with her friends and playing the slots at the casino. She also
enjoyed going to the local casinos with Lila, Guyla and Nathan. She really liked playing bingo. Her
nickname was Bingo Bonnie. Bonnie was a talented seamstress and made many of her children's
clothes when they were growing up and she still altered clothing for anyone who needed a hem or
adjustment or some Barbie doll clothes. She enjoyed making beautiful quilts, embroidering tea towels,
crocheting & making many afghans, doilies, potholders and scrubbies; all treasured by her family. She
loved to do crafts, jigsaw puzzles and watch "the Wheel". For several years, she hosted "Ice Cream
Sunday" for the family to gather to celebrate the birthdays each month. She always made homemade
ice cream and a special cake. Bonnie went weekly to the hair salon to get her hair done and looked
forward to her visits with her special friends Pam and Kendra. She became an avid OSU Cowboys fan
when she met Max. Although she loved all of her children, she loved holding the babies most of all.
Recently, she was able to meet the newest member of the family, one week-old great-grandson Harlyn
Troy.
Preceding Bonnie in death are her parents, her husband of 32 years Jim Hill, and her husband of 21
years Max Phelan, her infant son Charles Joseph Hill, sisters Beulah, Betty and Darlene, brothers
Raymond and Buddy
Bonnie is survived by 1 brother, Darrel, her favorite cousin Nedra Burdette, her 6 children, 13
grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the American Cancer Society or Hospice Circle of Love
Funeral Home in Charge
