Bonnie Hayden Obituary

Bonnie Sue (Wilhelm) Hayden, age 76, of Golden City, Missouri, departed this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 1, 2025, after a long battle with lung cancer. She passed peacefully at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, surrounded by her family.

Bonnie was born on November 18, 1948, at Bickel Hospital in Lamar, Missouri. She attended Golden City Public Schools and participated in music, theater, and many other activities. After graduating high school, she attended Springfield Beauty Academy in Springfield, Missouri. 

On July 12, 1969, Bonnie married the love of her life, Larry Ray Hayden. They spent their early years of marriage in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Larry was stationed, before returning to live in Golden City, Missouri. Together, they raised three children: Angela RaChel, Matthew Benjamin, and Dustin Ray. Bonnie was an extraordinary mother, a skilled homemaker, and an exceptional cook. She showed great love through her care for her family and prioritized involvement in her children’s lives. 

Bonnie was also highly dedicated and loving in her role as a grandmother. She spent significant amounts of time watching and caring for her grandchildren. She found joy in supporting them in their various activities and formed special bonds with each one of them. 

Later in life, Bonnie began a career in education. She worked for several years at Golden City Daycare and Preschool before spending the majority of her career as a paraprofessional at Lockwood Schools. She worked there for 15 years before her retirement in May of 2020. Over the course of her career, she formed close relationships and made a difference in the lives of many students. 

Bonnie was a remarkably strong woman and a faithful Christian. She was a member of Lockwood Christian Church, participated in several church ministries, and enjoyed singing in the choir. She lived her faith through her devoted prayer life, regular scripture reading, love for her family, and care for others. Upon receiving her cancer diagnosis in March of 2020, she shared that the most important thing to her was that she wanted to see her children and grandchildren again in heaven. Faith, love, and family were of utmost importance to her, with the combination of these three tenets demonstrated in her ultimate wish for her children and grandchildren. Her love for her family was immense and is never to be forgotten. 

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Wilburn and Wilma “Arlean” (Moore) Wilhelm; husband, Larry Hayden; in-laws, Charles “Ray” and Helen “Joan” (Miles) Hayden; sisters, LaNita (Wilhelm) Hackney and Mary Wilhelm; brother-in-law, Marvin “Leroy” Seela; and sister-in-law, Rachel (Hayden) Bridgman. Bonnie is survived by her children, Angela (Hayden) Vaughn and husband Tavis, Matthew Hayden, and Dustin Hayden; grandchildren, Hayden Vaughn, Abriel Vaughn, Rylie Hayden, Nolan Hayden, and Dalton Hayden; siblings, Juanita (Wilhelm) Seela, Gary Wilhelm and wife Helen, John Wilhelm, and Steven Wilhelm and wife Jill; brother-in-laws, Kenneth “Craig” Hackney and David Bridgman; sister-in-laws, Kathryn (Hayden) Mizrahi and husband Peter, and Lola Wilhelm. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and gratitude to the staff of Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Good Shepherd Health and Rehabilitation in Lockwood, and The University of Kansas Cancer Center for their compassionate care of Bonnie. The family would also like to thank those who extended their thoughts and prayers.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Lockwood Christian Church in Lockwood, Missouri. Interment will immediately follow at IOOF Cemetery in Golden City, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to either Lockwood Christian Church or the American Cancer Society.