UTICA – Bonnie Jean Mechling, loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by her loving family.
Bonnie, a longtime resident of Utica, spent the last years of her life with her family. Born Jan. 19, 1934, to James Reginald McCollum and Olive Ethel (Green) McCollum, Bonnie was one of eight children. She is survived by her brother, Joe (Janet) McCollum of Newark; a daughter, Bonita Schwenke of Mount Vernon; a son Mark (Sherry) Mechling of Utica; six grandchildren, Clark (Christina) Schwenke of Glenmont, Cassandra (Nick) Byers of Fredericktown, Angie (Rob) Watkins of Frazeysburg, Dustin (Amanda) Wilkins of Cable, Lisa (Cliff) Riebesell of St. Louisville and Clint (Cassie) Schwenke of Utica; 19 great-grandchildren, Nicholas (Hannah), Rosie, Autumn, Colton, Savannah, Alexis, Toby, Kaylee, Caylin, Cloey, Christian, Nyah, Cadence, Kenzie, JR, Landon, Chris, Kylie and Bella and two great-great-grandchildren, Anna and Zaine. She was “Aunt Bonnie” to dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and even great-great nieces and nephews.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 44 years, Walter Herman Mechling, her beautiful daughter, Cindy Mechling and siblings, Preston McCollum, June Bartenschlag, Stanley McCollum, Dean McCollum, Marjorie Billman and Ruth Barber.
Bonnie worked for many years at the Edmonton-Wilson Glove Factory in Mount Vernon. After the plant’s closing, she found a second career in working as a cook in the kitchen at Utica Nursing Home, lovingly preparing the same home-cooked meals for the residents there as she did for her large family. Bonnie eventually became the dietary supervisor prior to her retirement. Both of her daughters and several of her grandchildren also worked alongside her throughout her many years there. After her retirement, Bonnie spent countless hours tending to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren before eventually taking a position as a volunteer grandmother at the Utica Head Start, where “Miss Bonnie” was loved by many more of her “grandkids.”
Bonnie was a devout Christian and longtime Newark Road Church of Christ member, rarely missing a service or fellowship. She had many special friends in her church family, but her Sister in Christ, Nancy Smith, held a special place in her heart.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on June 28 at Brucker-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, with Minister Ben Driver officiating. Burial followed at Newark Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 27 at the funeral home.
Special thank you to Southern Care Hospice in Ontario for their wonderful care of Bonnie.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit law-bakerfuneralhome.com.
