Bonnie Ruth Sheaffer

Bonnie was born into a loving family on December 22, 1928. She was the fourth of five girls. She and her family lived in a rural area of Anaheim surrounded by orange groves. This area became Disneyland. They had a cow named Tilly, chickens, rabbits and pigs. Like many at that time, they had a Victory Garden.

Bonnie’s dad was an air raid warden during WWII. He drove a bus for the Katella School. Even though it was the time of The Great Depression, Bonnie’s parent were generous. They were known for providing a good meal for those in need.

At 23 Bonnie married Charles Elliot Walker and they settle in Newport Beach. Charles graduated as a pharmacist from USC. He was the manager of the Balboa Pharmacy. When they were in their mid-twenties they opened Walker Drug store in Santa Ana. The business did so well that they opened a second store in Orange, California.

Her son David was born when Bonnie was 27. She continued to be active in the Pharmaceutical Auxiliary raising money for scholarships by organizing and directing fashion shows at the new Disneyland Hotel. Unfortunately, Bonnie’s marriage to Charles ended in divorce.

Bonnie and David moved to Sacramento in 1963 at the suggestion of her older sister Kay who lived in the area. After living with Kay’s family for a few months, Bonnie and David moved into an apartment nearby. Bonnie met Mr. Right, Wally Sheaffer, on Labor Day weekend in 1964. He and his daughter Debbie lived in the same apartment complex. They married in May of 1965. Wally’s other daughter Jan was married and living in Fairfax, CA

Wally was a principal in the North Sacramento School District. Bonnie was employed by the Sacramento Inn, which is now the Red Lion Inn, as an assistant to the Catering Manager. She also worked in the Travel Agency located at the Inn. Bonnie’s hard work and charm caught the eye of Elwood Maleville, the owner of the Sacramento Inn, Coral Reef restaurant, Coral Reef Lodge and other businesses in Sacramento. Mr. Maleville suggested that Bonnie and his daughter Sondra open a gift shop in the Inn. Sheaffer and Verselle Distinctive Gifts opened within a few months and Bonnie and Sondra ran it for three years.

After retiring at 55 from the school district, Wally started the first legal charity bingo game in Sacramento County. The beneficiary was the Freelancers Drum and Bugle Corps where David was a member and Wally was assistant director. Wally taught other charities how to start and maintain their own bingo games. He and Bonnie worked hard at the bingo game, which became the primary source of revenue for the corps. They also volunteered countless hours supporting the corps on their national tours.

In 1985 Bonnie and Wally left the Freelancer organization and started another business searching public records for law firms, and other clients. They visited counties all over Northern California to perform document searches.

They hired another person to work alternating months so they could travel. Bonnie and Wally traveled the world for many years until their age made travel too difficult. They moved to the Carefree apartment complex, about two miles from David and his wife Lisa, in 2008. Carefree required residents to be at least 55 years of age. Wally passed away in 2009 and Bonnie made many friends at Carefree where she lived until her death on August 28, 2018.

She died at home surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her son David Sheaffer, and daughters Debbie Sheaffer and Jan Piro. She had 5 grandchildren; Michael Piro, Joseph Piro, Erin Sheaffer Graham, Tyler Sheaffer, and Madeline Sheaffer. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 3, 2108, at 2pm at Adventure Christian Church, 1500 N Market Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95834.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountVernonMemorial.com for the Sheaffer family.