Bonita L. Rogers 1937-2026

Bonnie was born April 17, 1937, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Elwood J. and Lillian M. Allison Longanecker.

She graduated from Springfield High School in 1955.

Bonnie began her career at the Addressograph-Telegraph office in downtown Youngstown and later served as office manager for the Young Men’s Presbyterian Organization.

She married Paul A. Rogers in 1959, and the young couple moved to Naselle, Washington, for several years while Paul served in the Air Force. After making many fond memories, she and Paul moved back to New Middletown, where they welcomed their two daughters, Cassandra “Casey” and Leandra “Lea.” Bonnie dedicated herself to raising her family as a devoted homemaker. The couple later separated, and she went on to live in Kent.

A trailblazer and single mother, Bonnie realized a lifelong dream and enrolled in college. While in school, she interned at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities in Dallas, Texas. She also worked for a time as a secretary for Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank.

Bonnie earned her bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in therapeutic recreation at the age of 50 and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

Upon returning to the Mahoning Valley, she worked in a nursing home in Boardman as a therapeutic recreation specialist and then moved to Grove City, Pa., where she worked as a receptionist at the YMCA. She was a curator for the Bashline Antique Shop in Grove City and later worked as the director of the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Slippery Rock, Pa., and the director of the Bethesda Home in New Castle, Pa.

Bonnie was a longtime member of Woodworth Church of the Brethren, where she faithfully served as a deacon and youth group leader.

She had a knack for crafting, cooking and sewing, and she served as a 4-H leader for several years, sharing her skills with young people in her community. She especially enjoyed helping them prepare for the Canfield Fair.

Bonnie used her creativity to throw great parties for her friends and family members, including an iconic Halloween party that is still talked about to this day.

Among her many great adventures were a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ecuador to visit her dear lifelong friends, Julie and Tom Cathcart, and tracing her family’s heritage, culminating in a book she authored, “Chains and Trains: The Longanecker Story.”

In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her two brothers, David Longanecker and Arlen Longanecker; her former husband, Paul A. Rogers; and her granddaughter, Marissa Marino.

Bonnie is survived by her two children, Casey (Billy) Baldwin of Lakewood, Colorado, and Lea (Erik) Mosher of Killington, Vermont; four grandchildren, Michaela Marino, Kyle Mosher, Quincy Mosher and Madison “Mads” Marino; and two sisters, Arlene Sloan of North Lima and Marilee Bodendorfer of Salem.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Zion Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 14550 New Buffalo Road, Columbiana, OH 44408, with Pastor Jay Clark officiating.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brethren Heritage Center, 428 N. Wolf Creek St., Brookville, OH 45309; brethrenhc.org; mail@brethrenhc.org; 937-833-5222; or donate via PayPal at www.brethrenhc.org/support#dataItem-jfwbg2ae.

Arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland. Family and friends may visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences.

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