Jonnie M. Kilic, of Niles
Published 9:05 am Thursday, March 27, 2014
Nov. 29, 1932 — March 23, 2014
Mrs. Jonnie M. Kilic, 81, of Niles, died at noon on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at Michiana Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mishawaka, Ind. following an extended illness.
Jonnie M. Kilic
She was born on Nov. 29, 1932 in Wittspring, Ark. to John and Ira (White) Bogun. She graduated from Mendon High School, and earned her Registered Nurse certification from Detroit Mercy Hospital Nursing School.
She has lived in Niles since 1964, coming from Detroit. Jonnie was a former surgical nurse and sometimes subbed in her husband’s pediatric practice. She was also employed as secretary for eight years in the office at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Niles, where she was also a member of the parish.
Jonnie enjoyed writing poetry, and had been published in local college publications. She was also a gifted artist, working in oil and acrylic and traded in antiques. She was very active at the South Bend Civic Theatre, serving as a costume designer, board member and occasional director. She planned and implemented the new costume shop in the 2007 renovated SBCT and was the first Costume Shop Manager.
Jonnie was also an active member of the community. She belonged to charitable and community minded organizations such as Psi Iota Xi and Berrien County Civitan.
On March 24, 1961, in Tucson, Ariz. she married Orhan Kilic, M.D. with whom she celebrated the 26th anniversary of their wedding prior to Dr. Kilic’s death on April 22, 1997.
Surviving family includes their daughters, Sevim Kilic of Toledo, Ohio and Seyhan Kilic of Niles; and Jonnie’s sisters, Helen (Robert) Jones of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and Winnie (Donald) Hargreaves of Tucson, Ariz., and several nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Jonnie Kilic will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Saint Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. David Otto with the Rev. William P. Melody of Notre Dame concelebrating and assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski. Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Jonnie may be made to the South Bend Civic Theatre.
