Bonnie Jean Cline, age 92, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 12, 2024, at Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born January 17, 1932, in Shelby, Ohio to Berton and Ethel (Rice) Hallman, Bonnie had been a Shelby resident all her life. A 1950 Shelby High School graduate, she was employed with the Shelby Mutual Insurance Company & Columbia Gas for numerous years before taking time off to raise her three children. When returning to work, she prepared food for Clancy’s restaurant for five years before assisting brides-to-be, as a consultant at Don Clair Bridals. Bonnie then went on to work as a secretary for U-Brand and retired in 1994. After retirement, she worked at Roy’s Interior until their closing.
In her free time, she liked to play cards and was in several card playing groups. Bonnie had the gift of event planning. She organized class reunions and monthly dinners for her 1950 graduating class for numerous years. After her husband Dave’s passing in 1999, Bonnie hosted an annual golf scramble in Dave’s memory for 12 years at the Shelby County Club. Bonnie enjoyed going to casinos, taking cruses and traveling to South Carolina beaches, with her husband and multiple friends. She also enjoyed vacationing in Florida with her children. Above all, her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved attending all of their life and sporting events, and finding any reason to bring everyone together so she could cook and entertain for family gatherings.
Bonnie was a member of the Red Hats Society, the former Rizpah Chapter Eastern Star of Shelby for 70 years, Shelby Legion Post #326, M.O.M Mothers Club, and the First Christian Church of Shelby. She was a very helpful woman who volunteered at the Fairhaven Hall during fairground events and contributed her time helping her church with finances and communion.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, just one week before her passing, Bonnie was crowned the Queen of Crestwood Care Center. She then represented them at the Richland County Fairgrounds, competing against other county nursing homes for the title of Senior Queen and King of Richland County.
She is survived by her wonderful children; Cindy (Tom “Tink”) Cline-Timmer of Shelby, Valerie (Roy) Watrous of Shelby, and Brent Cline of Westerville; four grandchildren; Jeff Friebel of Delaware, Angel (Ryan) Paisley of Dublin, Scott Watrous of Columbus, and Adam Cline of Charlotte, NC; and three great-grandchildren Brooke Friebel of Columbus, Jackson and Reagan Paisley of Dublin.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, David E. Cline, whom she wed on October 26, 1952, her parents Berton and Ethel Hallman, infant son Kevin Cline in 1956, grandson Timothy Cline in 2013, two brothers Dean and Jacque Hallman and her loyal K-9 companions, Schnapps, Duke, Gizmo and Brutus.
Friends may visit in their casual attire, at the Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory in Shelby from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, August 15, 2024. An Eastern Star Service conducted by the Ruth Chapter members will immediately follow at 8:00 PM. An additional visitation hour will be held Friday, the following day, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with her son and grandson, Brent and Adam Cline, officiating.
A private family burial will take place in Oakland Cemetery at a later date.
A lover of dogs, Bonnie and her husband would often be seen walking their dogs all over Shelby.
In place of flowers, the family kindly requests that those who wish to donate, please send memorial contributions in Bonnie’s memory to the Human Society of Richland County at 3025 Park Ave West Mansfield, Ohio 44906.
Online condolences may be made at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Home: Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory
Website: www.barkdullfuneralhome.com