ELLINWOOD — Bonita (Bonnie) Joan Tomberlin Tyson, 71, passed away Dec. 26th at Great Bend Health & Rehab. Born in Great bend, Kan. on Nov. 23, 1949 she was the daughter of CJ and Lorraine (Achatz) Tomberlin who passed away when Bonnie was 10. CJ then married Helen Mae (Berscheidt) Tomberlin. Bonnie graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1967, and later with a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s of the Plains (Dodge City) 1971 with band and choir, and Masters degree from Fort Hays State University in K-12 Administration. Bonnie married Eric Tyson on Nov. 26, 1977 in Ellinwood, Kan. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Bonnie and Eric lived in Otis, Kan. for 19 years before moving back to Ellinwood for the last 24 years. Mrs. Tyson taught music and was a building principal for over 41 years. She loved to teach and was very active in church activities at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood. She taught in Highland, La Crosse, Bazine, Hoisington, Otis-Bison, Chase/Raymond, Claflin, Larned, Larned Sacred Heart, and Ellinwood St. Joseph. Bonnie passed her love of music to her daughter where they sang many duets and played their instruments in many community bands. She taught private piano, instrumental, and vocal lessons. She also shared a love of animals, crafting, cooking, traveling, and entertaining. 

Survivors include husband, Eric Tyson; daughter Nora (Andrew) Tyson; siblings, William (Bill) (Jane) Tomberlin; nieces and nephews Tammy (Alex) Salazar, Tiffany Tomberlin, TJ Tomberlin, Ronnie Sue (Steve) Church, Chonita (Philip) Nigus, Kristen (John) Menkveld. Other survivors include AJ Salazar, Shayla and Shania Church, Ethan Nigus, and Abbie and Ellie Menkveld. 

“Welcoming me with open arms to the Lord on the day of my passing is my handsome baby boy Mark, my parents CJ and Lorraine Tomberlin, Stepmom Helen Mae, In-Laws Sam and Mary Lou Tyson, Sister-In-Law Barbara Sunley, and Nephew Alex Salazar.”

There will be a private inurnment at a later date at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, Kan. A Rosary is scheduled at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8th, 2021.  Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School (music dept.) in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel, Inc.

113 North Main St.

Ellinwood, KS  67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 30, 2020