Virginia Marie (Jones) Bonya

Virginia Marie Bonya, 87, of Homer City, peacefully passed away February 19, 2012. She was the daughter of the late John Elias Jones and Anna Adams Jones and was born on April 23, 1924 in Center Township, Pennsylvania in the Village of Tide. She lived her entire life in Indiana County, except for three years during World War II when she worked in Cleveland, Ohio at a manufacturing plant that produced parts for airplane engines. After the war, she married John J. Bonya, who preceded her in death in 1989. She was a member of the Homer City United Methodist Church and had been retired from the Penn Traffic Company after working in its Indiana store for 17 years. Virginia was a private person whose first and foremost interest was her family. She was a hands-on grandmother who encouraged opportunities to babysit. She never missed a birthday party, school function or sporting event. Grammy applauded every visit from the tooth fairy, cheered every point that was scored and saved newspaper clippings about her grandchildren. She reviewed every report card and rewarded the results, and when the results were less than outstanding, she rewarded the effort. She realized her wish to see each of her grandchildren graduate from high school; and was thrilled every time one of them graduated from college. Her affection for children extended beyond her immediate family. She purchased countless quantities of cookies, candy, popcorn and wrapping paper she did not need from every Boy Scout, Girl Scout and other school child who knocked on her door. Family and friends will also remember her well-developed sense of humor. During a recent hospital stay, a visiting friend said, "Virginia, you look good for 87". Virginia responded, "Are you kidding? Nobody looks good at 87". Virginia is survived and will be sadly missed by three children, John A. Bonya and wife, Beverly of Homer City, Beverly A. Everett of Lucernemines and William K. Bonya and wife, Linda of Homer City and by four grandchildren, Benjamin M. Bonya and wife, Kim, of Arlington, Texas, Terri I. Everett of Orefield, Pennsylvania and Anne Adams Bonya and Alexander S. Bonya of Homer City. She has one greatgrandson, Ryan C. Bonya of Arlington, Texas. In compliance with her wishes, her funeral service and burial were private.