Bonnie Fitzgibbons left this earth from the ICU at Alton Memorial Hospital and entered the kingdom of God at 1:53 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2011. By Bonnie's side, and holding her hand was her husband Frank and around her bed were many other family members. Bonnie was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on January 1, 1937 the daughter of Herman and Elizabeth (Reams) Downing. She married Frank Fitzgibbons on October 22, 1965, in Alton, IL and they shared 46 wonderful years together. Bonnie is survived by her husband, two daughters, Karla (Seeram) Garney, Alton, Tina Branham, Brighton, a son, Joel E. Cox and another son, Dennis R. Cox both of Jerseyville. In addition, Bonnie is survived by eight grandchildren, Jason Cox, Jennifer (James) Shaw, Seeram (Samantha) Garney Jr., Sasha (Simon) Hall, Todd (Katrina) Cox, Jeremy (Mindy) Cox, Chad (Kim) Cox, and Tiffany (Justin) Steinkuehler plus 18 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sister, Alberta Hammond, East Alton and Bernice (Gene) Bohannon, Decatur, and two brothers, Charles (Elizabeth) Downing, Fosterburg, and Harold (Brenda) Downing, South Carolina. In addition at home she is missed and survived by a special friend, her dog Midnight. Bonnie and Frank were members of the Alton Motorboat club where they had a cruiser "Proud Mary" named by Bonnie. They both enjoyed cruising the river over the past 46 + years. In addition, she loved camping, fishing, yard sales, cooking, visiting with friends and family members, caring for animals, birds and gardening. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Glendale W. Cox and a sister, Lavada Pollard. Bonnie was a longtime member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville and a member of the Gold Emblem Club of Retirees from Alton Mold Manufacturing of Owens IL Inc. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2011 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Father William Hembrow will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Riverbend Humane Society and Animal Shelter or a charity of choice.


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