Bonnie Sue (Henry) Elia went to dance with abandon on the streets of Heaven on May 18, 2024, after bravely battling Pancreatic Cancer. She spent her last days at home where she and her husband, Jim raised their family; the home where many youth group kids spent long summer nights and many church picnics and bonfires were held. Bonnie spent her final days surrounded by the love of her family, worshipping Jesus until her very last breath.

Bonnie was born on September 21, 1958, in Ashland, Ohio to Carl Henry and Minnie Jean (Britton) Henry. She was the youngest sister of the family. Bonnie and her two older sisters did everything together, sharing everything growing up, including a bicycle which was one of their favorite things to do, a love Bonnie continued into adulthood. Bonnie loved going on vacations and often talked about traveling around in a camper with her parents and sisters growing up. Her sister, Becky, remembers when Bonnie found a stray dog that she said was hungry and asked her mom to give her food to feed it while they were on a camping trip, stating, “she always loved animals and had a tender heart.” Her sister, Deb, recalls that they “traveled from coast to coast and border to border in a 62 Mercury without AC. Weekends were spent at Mohican campground where we rode our bikes, and sat around campfires making pies over the fire. We had many adventures hiking. We survived the 1969 flood in Mohican- driving home in the camper and VW through flooded roadways. Winter and snow kept us busy outside always playing together in the snow with plastic bags on our feet to keep them dry!”

Bonnie gave her heart to Jesus as a very young girl at just 5 years old. She had the privilege of growing up in church and knowing about God her whole life. Not to say that there were not hard times, because there definitely were, but even then, Bonnie held tight to the truth that her God is good and she clung to Him even in times of uncertainty.

Bonnie met James Elia when they were just children. They dated as teenagers, driving around in his 1974 GTO or 1977 Grand Prix. Bonnie only ever had eyes for Jim. Bonnie graduated from Madison High School in 1977. She went to North Central State College where she earned her Associate's Degree in Nursing in 1979, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1980. James and Bonnie were married on August 9th, 1980. They spent some time in St. Louis, Missouri before returning to the Richland County area to start their family and then eventually moving to the Morrow County area where they have spent the majority of their lives together.

Bonnie worked as a Director of Nursing, a Home Health Nurse, a Hospice Nurse, an Admission Nurse, a Nurse Liaison, and in many other capacities throughout her career. No matter what role she held, you could be sure that she would do her job well, with integrity, treating patients with respect and dignity, and advocating for each person as if they were her family. Bonnie was working for Ohio Health Home Health and had been planning her retirement in the upcoming year when she received her diagnosis.

Bonnie attended M1 Church in Mansfield, Ohio for the past year. Prior to that, Bonnie had been a member of Southwood Hills Church, Storyside Church, CrossWay Assembly of God (now Ark Church), and Christian Assembly. Bonnie served in many capacities at the local church, often in unseen roles, such as the prayer team, church nursery, and Café, or often without being asked, volunteering to be a “mom” for youth kids whose parents didn’t attend church functions. She served in capacities that went unseen with little recognition. When she saw a child who needed shoes or a mom who didn’t have a coat, she found a way to get them one, even if that meant giving them one that she owned if she couldn’t afford to buy it.

Bonnie didn’t view herself as an artist, but she had a love for creating. She loved to sew and crochet and often taught herself new techniques. She loved vintage patterns and materials. She loved using her gifts to make blankets for those who didn’t have them, donated many blankets to children in need, and made beautiful dresses for the “Dress a Girl” foundation. She loved nature and watching the birds in her secret garden. She loved her four-legged family, just as much, if not more than some people. She had many who were a part of her family throughout the years who were loved and treasured. In the warmer months, she loved going to garage sales and in the winter months, she loved to go to thrift stores for the perfect vintage find. More recently one of her favorite places to visit was, dare us Ohioans say it, Michigan. She loved visiting the Christmas stores at Frankenmuth and the sand dunes and beaches at Lake Michigan.

Bonnie’s greatest joy was the time she got to spend with her sweet grandbabies. She spent many, many, MANY years praying and asking God for these precious miracles, her two rainbow babies, and her double pot of gold. She treasured every moment that she got to spend with them from dancing to oldies music to riding her (electric) bike to swinging on swings at the park. She loved doing crafts with them at every holiday or just because. She loved taking them to community events and watching them ride rides at the local fairs. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas. She loved to drive them around to look at all of the Christmas lights. She loved giving gifts and only ever wanted pictures and time with her family in return.

Bonnie is survived by her best friend and the love her life, James Elia; her son, Chad (Jeanetta) Elia; her daughter, Alaina (Joe) Reedy; “adopted” daughter, Jin “Dani” Kwang-Kim and family; her grandchildren, Adelena Elia, Alivia, James, and Josie Reedy; her mother, Minnie Jean Henry; her sisters, Becky (Tom) Angelini, and Deb (Mick) Conrad; her brothers-in-law, Don (Jackie) Elia, and Roger Elia; her sisters-in-law, Annette (Noah) Fraley and Vicky Carns; and several aunts/ uncles, nieces/ nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends too numerous to count.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Carl Henry; her mother-in-law, Mary Elia, her father-in-law, John Elia; her half-brother, Myron Henry; her half-sister, Carla Grant; her unborn child; her unborn grandchildren; her premie grandson, Joseph Reedy Jr; and several beloved aunts and uncles who were awaiting her with open arms at Heavens gates.

Bonnie will be missed greatly by her family and friends, but those of us who know God’s word to be true, know that she is no longer in pain, that she is no longer suffering, and that she is safe in the arms of her Savior. We know that we will see each other again one day very soon when we join her in Heaven.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on June 9th at M1 Church, 1000 McPherson St, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. Family and Friends will be received from 4pm-5pm and the Celebration Service will be held at 5pm. Casual colorful attire is requested. 

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