Bonnie K. Beckett

Bonnie Katherine (Barker) Beckett, wife of Richard Alden Beckett, Lieutenant Colonel USAF (Ret), died Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at Mercy Fairfield Hospital. Bonnie, daughter of Bill and Berta Barker was born in Fayette, Arkansas, May 19, 1950. She lived in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Akron, Ohio graduating from Ellet High; attended the University of Akron and Bowling Green State University where she graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. Bonnie was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority at the University of Akron. During Rick’s military career, they lived in various locations throughout the United States including Louisiana, Arizona, Colorado, and Ohio including Bowling Green and Cincinnati. Bonnie leaves their children and families – Stephanie (Glen) Steinbrunner and grandchildren Brandon and Alexandra of Baltimore, Maryland; their son Steven Beckett (Jessica Schulz) of Little Rock, Arkansas. Bonnie’s brother Bill K. Barker II (Nancy), nieces and nephews, Alexander, Alissa, Alana, and Thomas of Eagle Rock, Missouri; Bonnie’s sister Patty (Ted) Reed and their son Sterling of Novato, California. She also leaves Rick’s brother Gary (Joyce) Beckett of Oxford, Ohio and their families Tracy, John, and Shannon. Also surviving is Rick’s father Alden Beckett of Monroe, Ohio. Bonnie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1993. Calling hours are from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069 (513) 777-8433. Funeral service will be on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Faith Community United Methodist Church, 8230 Cox Road, West Chester, Ohio. Officiating is Reverend Barbara Hobe. Burial will be in the West Chester Township Cemetery, West Chester, Ohio Tribute to Bonnie Beckett March 26, 2009 In my family, when we are happy, we write about it. When we are sad, we write about it. In an attempt to understand the deep feelings we are experiencing; we write. Bonnie knew this about me, and my family. So, I’m sure she is helping me find the strength right now to write about how I feel. I know, at this moment, what the expression “heavy heart” means. It is with the heaviest of hearts, I mourn the loss of my dear, dear friend. She was truly a special and wonderful person, and friend. She helped me through some rough times of my own, by somehow making me feel like I was the best and strongest person she knew. I tried to encourage her through her difficult times, but I feel I fell woefully short in comparison to her strength for me. My times of difficulty were short in duration, her times of difficulty were many and very long in duration. And yet, the last person to ever complain about her difficult life situation was Bonnie. She taught us all the meaning of Courage. As a mother, she was the BEST. Dave and I marveled at the home environment that Bonnie and Rick created and provided for their children and later grandchildren. We told them often; that they were the “Gold Standard” of parents in our estimation. Even when Stephanie and Steve were very young, those two kids were always interested and part of the adult visits we had and enjoyed the same respect in the conversations as the adult guests enjoyed. The kids were a joy to be around and, not surprisingly turned into adults who continue to be our favorite people. Great work, Rick and Bonnie, You taught us the meaning of Responsibility. As a friend, whose lifetime was dedicated to making “all things beautiful” as an interior designer, she gave me more than a little help in decorating my house and she never failed to compliment, or correct me, when it was warranted. She demonstrated remarkable resilience in keeping her home and her person perfect even while negotiating life with a wheelchair. She taught us all, that “no matter what life deals you, you should always look your best.” And, she always followed her own advice on that life lesson. Always the cheerleader, always the teacher, always the coach, Bonnie touched everyone she met with her wit, charm and entertaining banter. We are ALL better people for the time we spent with her. We are ALL feeling the heaviest of hearts for the loss of her presence in our lives. And it is going to be a lot harder getting through life for those of us she left behind. But, she would smile and say, “Didn’t you learn anything from me? You gotta pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and make some lemonade out of those lemons.” She showed us HOW, every day of her life! Now, it’s our turn to make her proud of what a great teacher she was. We already miss you Bon, but thanks to your lessons in life, I think we can make it, too. Love to my dearest friend, Carol (and Dave) Biemel