MANSFIELD: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. (Psalm 51:10) Bonnie L. Leonard will be remembered for her giving nature and pure heart; for having a heart that offered the homeless, a place of refuge, and the hungry, a warm meal. She found joy in the act of loving and accepting others. Her caring heart now at rest, Bonnie passed into the presence of her loving Father Saturday morning December 4, 2021 following a brief illness. She was 87.
The daughter of Orin and Mildred (Stewart) McClaflin she was born April 10, 1934 in New London, and graduated from Brighton High School.
On November 26, 1954 she married Stuart Leonard. Hard working, for over 30 years Bonnie worked for Stanley House Products. She also worked at Family Dollar and Dominion Electric.
She competed in bowling leagues at Village Lanes and Colonial Lanes. Bonnie preferred classic country music, John Wayne movies, getting lost in a good novel and playing euchre with family and friends.
Bonnie was oh so generous. “Adopting kids”, she lived by an open-door policy, and embraced those who needed a place to stay. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she was proud of them all. She assisted with the multi-handicapped department at Malabar and assisted in providing the Christmas presents for the Mansfield Grotto Hall annual Christmas party. Bonnie was a member at Grace Episcopal Church where she volunteered for the food pantry.
She is survived by her son William “Bill” (Nancy) Leonard of Dowagiac, Michigan and daughter Linda (Keith) Bender of Mansfield; grandchildren Touby (Lauren) Bender, Theresa (James) Roberts, Taylor Bender, Heather Leonard (fiancé Will McCorkle), Gabrielle (Tharon) Combs, and Billy Leonard; great grandchildren Julianna Combs, Noah Combs, Kendall Roberts, and Delaney Bender; several nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Stuart “Stu” Leonard; son Andrew Leonard, an infant son Randy Leonard; two half- brothers, Paige and Shorty, and full brother Harold.
Her family will receive friends Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 2-5 pm in the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Monday at 11 am. Rev. Joseph Ashby will officiate. Burial will follow on Monday afternoon at 1pm in Clarksfield Methodist Cemetery in Wakeman, Ohio.
Memorial contributions to the Grace Episcopal Food Pantry may be made at the funeral home.
Online condolences are encouraged by visiting: SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
