Bonnie Nyerges

August 2021 UPDATE: Bonnie Nyerges entered eternal life March 22, 2020. As was true for so many at that time, normal funeral services were limited by pandemic restrictions. So on August 29, 2021, our morning worship service at 11 AM will include special celebration and thanksgiving for her life. A fellowship luncheon for Church family and friends will follow the worship service. Those who are able are invited to attend and share with our Church family this celebration of Bonnie’s life.

This tribute will meet a heartfelt need to close this chapter of life by honoring God and His gift of one beloved and precious to us. Please understand there is no further acknowledgement to this unique arrangement needed other than your presence if you wish and are able to attend. To assist our planning, however, your RSVP to the Church phone voicemail (440-943-3611) will be appreciated as to the number attending at the service and/or the luncheon.

BONNIE L. NYERGES (nee Patrick) age 76, beloved wife for 55 years of Pastor Bill of First Covenant Church of Willoughby Hills; loving mother of Christopher J. (wife Sharianne), Eric A., and Laurel N. Samsonas (husband Jordan); devoted grandmother of Carsten, Alexandra, Cameron (deceased), Caleb, Alivia, and Leah; cherished daughter of the late John and Florence (nee Gross) Patrick; dearest sister of Dorothy Goss (husband Ken) and Priscilla Skillicorn (husband Wayne); treasured sister-in-law of Robert and the late Mary, James and the late Carole Rose; dear aunt, great-aunt and friend of many.

Bonnie was born December 26, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, and passed away on March 22, 2020.  She spent her early childhood in the Hungarian neighborhood on Buckeye Road in eastern Cleveland.  Her family later moved to Mayfield Heights in the mid-1950s, where she and Bill (a fellow Hungarian) first met at age 13 at school, happily sharing their high school years together, including her selection as 1961 Homecoming Queen, and eventually attending Kent State University.  She married her sweetheart in 1964, beginning a 55-year marriage.  After Bill’s graduation from KSU in 1965, they moved to the Washington. D.C. area, where Bonnie worked at American University and Bill was eventually drafted in the Army.  This started their adventures in Europe where they traveled, lived in Munich, Germany, and began their family with the addition of their oldest son Chris.

After Europe they returned to Washington D.C. for three years before going home to Cleveland, Ohio in 1974, settling in nearby Newbury Township in Geauga County.  During the following years they added middle son Eric and their youngest child Laurel.  She was a loving homemaker and very active in La Leche League which continued throughout her life helping new mothers with breast feeding advice and support.  Bonnie was also an active supporter of Newbury Schools with the annual school carnival, Afterprom and supporting her kids’ activities.  In addition, she worked outside the home in childcare as a nanny to many wonderful children (Megan, Johnny, Allie and Sam), assisting their parents in family activities and making them a part of her family.  She never stopped mothering and extended that love to everyone she met.

Throughout her life, she treasured family—her two younger sisters, Dot and Perk were extremely important to her and she called them her “other brothers”.  The “brothers” spoke almost daily, shared look-a-like traits and had the same strong Patrick personality from their beloved dad.  She also loved her many nieces and nephews: Kristen, Koco, Tammy, David, Daniel, Billy, Michael, Bobby and Micha — all had a special place in her heart.

She also loved cooking, enjoyed light flower and vegetable gardening and “spoiling” her grandchildren.  Most importantly she was an avid reader throughout life and devoured books with a passion, making weekly trips to the library.  Bonnie is remembered most as a kind, nurturing, sweet, and social woman who was a loyal friend and mother to many.  She was devoted to her family, her faith, and held strong convictions.  Finally, Bonnie was a faithful partner to her husband Bill in life as well as their shared ministry over the years starting at the Calvary Methodist Church in Arlington, VA, to the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Cleveland, Newbury Community Church among others, and particularly during the last 16 years of full-time ministry with the Evangelical Covenant Church.  Over the years Bonnie found comfort reflecting on the times God led Bill and her through, which is best summarized by her favorite Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 ESV –  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  She will be dearly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Bonnie to First Covenant Church, 29400 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, OH 44092.

Private Family Services will take place on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 12 Noon with live streaming of service available. Public Graveside Service will take place Monday at 1:30 PM at Maple Hill Cemetery 13480 Auburn Rd., Munson, OH 44026. Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND.