Bonnie Long May 12, 2024

Bonnie Long, age 95, died peacefully on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, 2024 at her home in Stow, Ohio.

Bonnie is survived by her three children: Phillis Steinbach of Stow, Ohio, Connie Mohan of Stow, Ohio, Keith Huffman (Peggi) of Orland Park, Illinois, and her twin grandchildren, Jackson and Olivia Huffman, both of Chicago, Illinois.

Bonnie grew up on her parents’ farm outside of Delta, Missouri where she lived the life of a farmer’s child, tending the garden, feeding chickens, and churning butter. Her natural beauty inside and out could not be hidden in the boot heel of Missouri….she was crowned the basketball queen of her high school her senior year.

After graduation, Bonnie packed a bag and hopped on a bus to move to the “big city”, as she’d call it, otherwise known as Cape Girardeau, Missouri. At that time in history, this was a very big and courageous act for a young woman. Bonnie went to work for the telephone company as a switchboard operator and put herself through secretary school. A decision which provided her with vocational skills she would use for the rest of her life.

Bonnie raised her children in Murphysboro, Illinois as a strong, loving and supportive single mother. In 1964, when attending a social event, Bonnie met her future husband, Jack Long. They married in 1965 and the family moved to Carbondale, Illinois.

Bonnie became very involved in the community of Carbondale and Jackson County. Bonnie served as a Jackson County Board member for three terms. Bonnie was known throughout the university community and retired from SIU as an Office Administrator in 1996 to spend time with her grandchildren. Bonnie and Jack were both longtime Saluki fans and could be found tailgating with friends and attending SIU sporting events on weekends. Their home nicknamed “Long’s Lodge” was the party spot for their circle of friends. Everyone was welcome.

Bonnie enjoyed world-wide travels with her daughters, spent every Christmas with her grandchildren and attended many late night Jungle Dogs concerts in support of her son, Keith. She cooked meals with her granddaughter attached to her hip and helped her grandson catch blue-tailed skinks in her backyard. Bonnie poured love and creativity into all she did. Her cooking was delicious and her ‘red cake’ is infamous ( – and, no, the recipe will not be shared). Bonnie painted portraits of nature, and depicted everyday activities on canvas. She was an excellent seamstress and worked with stained glass. Her love for color was reflected in her stylish wardrobe and was always ‘put together’.

In 2021, at the age of 92 Bonnie said goodbye to her beloved “Long’s Lodge” and moved to Ohio to be closer to her two daughters. During her final years Bonnie spent every day with Phillis and Connie. They created family dinners, had girls’ sleep-overs, went to brunches, happy hours and speakeasies and had many beautiful moments laughing and spending quality time with one another. Phillis and Connie would beam with pride over their mom and the grace with which she aged.

In her final days Bonnie said she believed in always keeping your people with you….your family and friends. If you are one of Bonnie’s ‘People’ please join us in celebrating the life well lived by this amazing woman. Arrangements are being coordinated by Walker Funeral Homes of Carbondale, Illinois. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 am, Friday , May 24, at Murdale Gardens of Memory, Murdale Gardens Road, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966.