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Tompkins, Bonita J.
Bonita J. Tompkins, 64, of Iowa City, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at Mercy Iowa City following a brief illness. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City, with the Very Rev. Rudolph T. Juarez officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, where a rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Cosgrove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Courageous, St. Jude Children's Hospital or St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Bonita was born March 9, 1947, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Regina (Schneider) Tompkins. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B. A. degree in education, psychology and political science and a minor in American history. Bonita received her M. A. degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., in elementary education and special education.
A lifelong resident of Iowa City except for the seven years she spent in northeast Missouri, Bonita was a teacher for 35 years, retiring in 2004. She taught in the South Shelby School District in Shelbina, Mo., for seven years and for the Lisbon Community Schools for 28 years, where she created the K-8 Resource Room for the Learning Disabled.
Active in many organizations, Bonita was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, American Association of Curriculum Directors, National Education Association, Iowa Council of Teachers of English, National Council of Teachers of English, the Council for Exceptional Children and recently became an Associate of The Sisters of Mercy Midwest-West Community. She was a past vice president and president of the Lisbon Education Association. She also was a published author in state, local and international publications.
Survivors include numerous cousins and friends.
Bonita was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Mary Ellen Tompkins.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at under obituaries.
Published Dec. 26, 2011, in The Gazette
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