Bonnie Sue Oyer, of Fairport, NY passed away July 23rd, 2024 at the age of 78.
She is predeceased by her parents, Mary Frances and Hank Butler, and her brother, Dr. James Butler.
She is survived by her brother David Butler, her loving husband of 56 years, Steven “Easy” Oyer, her 3 children Jennifer King, Jody Sanderson (Chris), Andrew Oyer (Robyn), and grandchildren, Nate, Manny, Monica, Steven, Kate, and step grandchildren Jacob, Henry, and Kat Lichti.
Bonnie was born in the close-knit, rural community of Waverly, Ohio, in 1946. Her father Hank, a successful and prominent businessman in Waverly, owned and operated the Grand Tavern for years. Bonnie enjoyed sharing memories of being a young girl in the tavern and playing songs on the jukebox. In her youth, she was a dominant basketball player, sharp shot, and competitive in everything.
She fell in love with Steve sometime in the 8th grade—their romance well-documented in Waverly School yearbooks. The two remained loyal and dedicated to each other for over 6 decades. They shared a love for sports (especially Ohio State), dining out, and wintering in Key West, Florida, where they were known by friends there as “Mr. and Mrs. Buckeye.”
Throughout her life she enjoyed collecting sports memorabilia, pottery, and various art. Bonnie loved visiting with her family, and spending time shopping and vacationing with her girlfriends.
Bonnie will be interred at the family plot in Evergreen Union Memorial Cemetery, in Waverly, Ohio, and is memorialized in the Key West Sculpture Garden, with a nod to Margaritaville, her favorite song by Jimmy Buffet.
Fins up, NaNa
Comments
17 responses to “Oyer, Bonnie S.”
Dear Oyer Family, please know that we hold you all in our hearts as you mourn the loss of your beloved wife, mom and grandmother. Bonnie loved the joys that you all brought her throughout the many seasons of life. She was a great cheerleader at football games and I am sure the same at all the other sporting events she attended. The time that she and Steve were able to spend in the Keys was special. Her presence will be missed, but she left many memories to hold onto. Peace to all. Dave and Marilyn Berkebile
We are blessed to have known Bonnie and Steve during the days at Sunset Harbor, Key west. We loved our pool talk!
Bonnie’s presence during the winter months was enjoyed by all she and Steve will be greatly missed.
May all the wonderful memories of Bonnie comfort the family at this difficult time.
Marilyn & Steve Gordon
My deepest condolences to the Oyer family. Bonnie was truly a special person. My heart is broken as I read this. She had a love for Key West and we had a love for her at Sunset Harbour. I will truly miss Our visits every night that you were at Sunset Harbor. SIP my friend.💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏🙏
My relationship with my biological parents is complicated. When I was in I think 3rd or fourth grade, my father married Jen king. She was, and will always be the best influence I had in those years. She is a dear dear friend and I have been very lucky to have a mom like her, even if not by blood. Her family is my family and so many of my fondest childhood memories are in her parents house. Papa and Nana where so good to my brothers and I, and I will treasure every moment I spent with Bonnie for the rest of my life. She was an incredible grandmother and all of the oyer/ king family has always treated me like part of their family even when I didn’t feel excepted by mine. Nana gave great hugs, always made me feel loved and every time I see her it made me smile, Even after the divorce, she continued to treat me like one of her grandkids. And later in life, tried her best to make me feel like a grand-daughter. Which meant everything. I will miss her dearly.
We are saddened to read of Bonnie’s death. She and Steve were some of the first people we met when we moved into Georgetown Commons nine years ago and we always enjoyed visiting with them. We recently enjoyed a visit with her at the Fairport Baptist Home where she and Ron were both in rehab. May your beautiful memories of Bonnie sustain you in difficult times.
I Am So Sad, Sad at hearing this News! Aunt Bonnie and My Uncle Steve are AMAZING People. I have Yearbooks of my Dear mothers and Steve High school yrs and, they were I’m so in Love since then!!! I Loved seeing her Posts n the Keys. I’m gonna try coming to the Celebration of Life.
Dear Oyer family,
I am sorry to hear about Bonnie’s passing. She was a good wife and partner in life to Steve, a great mom, and a loving grandmother. She will be missed by us all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Steve,
I worked with you and Bonnie when I was the music director at Christ Clarion. I remember Bonnie fondly and send you peace during this difficult time.
Very sad to hear of your passing. Bonnie was one sharp lady, and the apple of Steve’s eye. God bless.
Dear Oyer family,
We first met Bonnie & Steve at Sunset Harbor in Key West. We soon discovered we were from the same area and lived only minutes apart. Bommie willingly shared her “tricks of the trade” for timeshare ownership and her knowledge of restaurants in Key West, especially Alonzo’s and their half price appetizers. She will be missed by all who knew her and we offer our condolences to Steve and the rest of her family. Ohio State has lost a loyal and passionate fan!
Steve and Family,
So sorry and very sad to learn of the loss of Bonnie. As you would know we were classmates in class of 1964 in Waverly .
I know you both enjoyed life in both New York and the Keys and loved every minute of kids and grandkids.
My sincere sympathy and know her classmates were at a loss to hear this news.
I am so sad to learn of Bonnie’s passing. She was an awesome lady and I always enjoyed her company. Haven’t seen Steve and Bonnie for quite a few years and just assumed you were hanging out in Key West! RIP dear Bonnie and hugs and love and sympathy to you Steve and family. I know she will be surely missed.
I am sad to learn of Bonnie’s passage. I first met her at the Breast Cancer Coalition. She was a live wire… a true spark… a bright light… such an inspiration to so many of us. One of my favorite stories was when we were texting back-and-forth on a Sunday afternoon while she was staying at a resort on St Pete Beach Florida with her husband. At the same time, my son, who lived in St Pete Just after starting his first real job, was texting me from the public beach right next to it. I asked him where he was and he gave me a description. I told Bonnie that my son was just down below. A few minutes later, a photo arrived. Bonnie had gone looking for him, found him, introduced herself, and took a picture to send me! Bonnie loved an adventure! I will remember her fondly. May she rest in glorious peace.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. I appreciated her kindness and thoughtfulness toward my children, her step-grandchildren, even after Jen and their dad divorced. I’ll be thinking of you all as you celebrate her remarkable life.
Sending thoughts of love and condolence to cousins Jenny, Andy, Jody, their families, and Uncle Steve Oyer. Aunt Bonnie was such a good soul, wonderful mother, and delightful aunt. Her love for her family was strong and never-failing, and her stories of growing up in Waverly with my late father (her brother Jim) and brother David always brought a smile to my face and and a hearty chuckle (her wicked sense of humor and impish grin always enlivened her anecdotes). Will miss our epic games of Tripolli at the beach, but I’m sure she’ll continue playing away with Grandma Butler and singing along with Jimmy Buffett and all the Parrot Heads in the heavenly realms. Rest in peace, Aunt Bonnie.
Hearing of Bonnie’s death is very sad to me. We were childhood friends who experienced many wonderful times together. Bonnie was full of life and was always good for a laugh. She was fearless and a gifted athlete. Bonnie and Steve were inseparable and always had such love for each other. Steve, I am praying for you and your family and send my deepest sympathy.
Love,
Reeda
We met Bonnie and Steve many years ago at the Hyatt Sunset Harbor timeshare in Key West and spent every winter enjoying their company . Lots a pool time talks, happy hours and football games watched together. It is a gift to know genuinely good people and Bonnie was clearly one. Her knowledge, straightforward style and dry wit made times conversing enlightening and something to look forward to. She will be sorely missed.
So thankful we got to spend some time Bonnie and her daughter Jen around the end of December 2023. Bonnie told us Jen had never been to Key West before and wanted her to experience Key West and understand their love for it.
May the good memories shared with Bonnie stay with you during this sad time of loss.
We’ll be thinking of you at Flaherty’s where she wanted her celebration of life to be and we’ll be visiting her memorial brick in Key West on a regular basis.
With our love, Lisa Canaday & Joseph Morin