Bonnie Jean Morgan

Bonnie was born October 20, 1941 in Canton, Ohio and was a graduate of Timken Vocational High School. She grew up and lived most of her life in Canton, and was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Helen Derby, and brother David Derby.

Bonnie leaves behind her loving and loyal husband of 37 years, Wayne Morgan, her best friend and sister Gayle Brown, and dedicated sons and daughter-in-laws Fred (Ranee) Dunn, Frank (Kristin) Dunn, Jeff (Mary) Morgan, and love and gratitude to her medical consultant and aide, her daughter Lisa (Stefan) Underation. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A very special thank you goes to friend and neighbor Jane DeGreef who helped keep Bonnie’s cherished landscaping and yard in perfect order, provided her and Wayne with timely meals, and sat with Bonnie for countless hours as a friend. Thank you Jane.

Bonnie was a friend to all she met. If you ever met someone for the first time, or the hundredth time, someone you felt you’ve known for years, that was Bonnie. She went into any room and any event, and people naturally spoke with her. She was magnetic because of her genuine interest in the other person. She had the rare gift to accept people just as they were. She always made new friends.

Bonnie was also known for her big laugh, her big smile, and especially her big hair. If you made a sudden stop in the car, if she threw down a winning hand in cards, watched one of her grandchildren make a great play on the field, or any other moment of excitement, Bonnie would let out a loud and excited shriek that could be heard for miles. The shriek was unique, and was always followed by a big laugh and smile that could be seen from across the room.

You could always spot Bonnie in a crowd if you looked first for her hair. It was tall, curly, and abundant. Very distinctive. People would ask where she got her hair done, and she would just smile and laugh because if she told them the truth, that she was her own hairdresser, they would never believe. And indeed she was her own hairdresser, all her life, right down to the cut and color.

Bonnie also enjoyed watching her grandkids’ sporting events. She would attend as many events as she could, from basketball, to football, baseball and cheerleading. She always enjoyed her time with her grandchildren.

Although not personally experienced in traditional sports, Bonnie was a world-class athlete in the sport of shopping! Unique, different, and “cute” were the criteria, with a good bargain always a plus. Tags were always left on the clothes for the common trips back to the return counter. Christmas shopping for family and friends was a year-round event, and everyone on her list always looked forward to their grab bag of “surprise” and “cute” items.

For Bonnie, the sport of shopping was always about the adventure, the hunt, the thrill of the chase. The purchased items were merely the trophies won for her participation. Her Superbowl was 12 hour marathon shopping events with her son Frank who shares the same passion. On those days, life was as good as it gets.

Bonnie loved to garden and work on her landscaping. While working she would sing praise songs, listen to Word messages through earbuds, and work on her summer tan. When illness did not allow her to work outside, she watched with binoculars as her grandsons worked in the yard and trimmed hedges. She would let them know where they missed on the hedges and bushes and how to make them just so.

Bonnie played the piano and guitar. However, her favorite moments came when Wayne, Jeff, and Lisa would play the piano and guitar in the front room and lay down some of that “old time religion”.

And most important to her, Bonnie lived with a deep connection to God through her faith, her family, and her friends. Her true passion was bringing people to Christ and Bonnie led countless family members and friends to the Lord. She demonstrated the love of Christ to everyone she met, and her deepest love was always shown through dedication to her husband Wayne, her children, her grandchildren, and family.

We are certain that the promise of “well done my good and faithful servant” greeting Bonnie at the moment of her passing. And only when we reunite with her in Heaven will we then see the farthest reaches of her earthly Ministry.

Calling hours will be Friday, August 14, 2020 from 6-8pm at the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home in Canton, Ohio. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 15 at 11am at Karlo-Libby, Pastor Jim Roma officiating. Covid 19 protocols and social distancing will be in effect and masks are required for attendees. There is a one-hour viewing prior to the services. Burial at Sunset Gardens to follow.