Bonnie Hillemeier O'Neill

Bonnie Hillemeier O’Neill, 83, of Champaign died in the early morning hours of November 11, 2025 at Carle Hospital in Urbana.

She was born in the same hospital on August 21, 1942, to Byron and Genevieve (O’Neal) Hillemeier and grew up with her sister in Champaign, which was her home for nearly all her life.

She attended South Side School, Edison Junior High School, and Champaign High School (Class of 1960) where she was very active and made lifelong friends.  Bonnie graduated from the University of Illinois in 1964 with a degree in History and Latin but mostly played bridge. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and worked as a Camel girl, passing out cigarettes on campus.  After graduation, she moved to Washington DC and worked as a junior staffer for a Congressman from Mississippi, and then at the University of Illinois before starting her family.

She met the love of her life Richard J. (Dick) O’Neill 69 years ago when she was 14 years old and they dated throughout high school and college and married on November 27, 1965. Daughter Angela arrived in 1971 and son Tim followed in 1974. She was their biggest comfort and cheerleader in all things.

She was engaged in community service and built a vibrant social life.  She was an active  member of  the Jr. League, a part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni group, Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois, and was a member of the Champaign Country Club and St. Matthew Catholic Church as well as many bridge and social groups which brought her much joy.

Bonnie was small but mighty, proper, poised, and fun. She was involved in the kids’ schools and activities, busy with her varied groups, especially duplicate bridge, being the commissioner of her NFL fantasy football league, and was an excellent cook and well known for her cookies. She was a dedicated runner and walker throughout her life, and played golf until the garden in her new home on Dodds Drive took much of her time. Living with Dick required a sense of humor and patience, and she was gifted with both. She liked  being in on the action. She loved all the holidays and celebrated them big. She enjoyed her many close friendships, entertaining, having a clean house, and avidly followed Illini football and basketball.  She traveled near and far with family and friends and especially looked forward to annual trips to Las Vegas for a weekend of blackjack, and to any beach in the winter.  She was devoted to her beloved Golden Retrievers and family for whom she would do anything.

Surviving is her husband of 60 years, Dick, daughter Angela (David) Washburn of East Lansing, MI and son Timothy O’Neill of Champaign.  Also surviving are the apples of her eye, her two grandchildren, Henry O’Neill Washburn of Chicago, IL and Eleanor Murphy Washburn of Nashville, TN.  Her sister Karen (Brent) Harris of Fresno, CA also survives, along with her nephews Douglas (Michelle) Harris of Danville, CA., and Ryan (Lena) Harris of Folsom, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the University of Illinois Foundation.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Matthew’s in Champaign at 10:30am on November 21, 2025 and friends may greet the family immediately following the service at the Champaign Country Club at 1205 S. Prospect Avenue in Champaign.  Burial will be private in Roselawn Cemetery with a view of Memorial Stadium so Bonnie can keep tabs on the Illini.

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