Milich

Bonnie Jean Milich, 88, of West Sunbury, went to her heavenly rest Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Born Feb. 5, 1936, in Renfrew, Bonnie was the daughter of William Earl Hackett and Mildred (Radicanin) Hackett. Growing up with her seven siblings on a farm in Meridian gave her a trove of wonderful memories of her childhood. She once joked, “we were poor but we didn't know it, so we were happy.”

A 1955 graduate of Butler High School, Bonnie began working at the Armco Butler Works in the production office. It was at “the mill” where she would meet her future husband, George Milich. They would marry on Oct. 18, 1959, at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Lyndora. She would become a lifetime member of the Sisterhood of the Altar.

Devoted to family, Bonnie and George would play host to numerous nieces and nephews before having children of their own. It was a cherished event to spend time at the cabin with Uncle Dood and Aunt Bonnie. Together, they would raise four sons of their own. When asked how she managed it, she would answer “with a firm hand and a lot of love.”

Bonnie was a consummate homemaker and mother. A first-rate baker, her pies, cakes and nut rolls were much sought after by friends and family. Her apple strudel was known to ignite a rugby scrum in her kitchen as her grown sons vied for leftovers to take home. Any strudels that she attempted to hide in a freezer commonly found their way to her son George's house.

After becoming empty nesters, Bonnie and George watched the family grow and she began traveling to visit relatives. Whether it was Carolina or California, she was happiest spending time with those she loved. She especially enjoyed her trips to Europe to visit family, see her grandchildren and do some sightseeing. Italy, Ireland, France, England and the Netherlands were all prominently displayed in her passport. Closer to home, she enjoyed rides through the countryside, stopping for lunch or to poke around in some consignment shop or antiques store with a friend or a sister.

After her husband, George, passed away May 13, 2017, Bonnie would move to West Sunbury the following year. Although in her 80s, she kept busy baking, cooking and occasionally mending a shirt or dress with her practiced sewing skills. When the Moniteau Academic team would hold a study session, she enjoyed listening to the students as they practiced their competitive speeches and offering advice on their efforts. Whether related or not, scores of young people in the school district would fondly call her “Bubbie.”

As she slowed physically, reading, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles and nightly episodes of “Jeopardy!” kept her mind sharp. Just a day before her passing, she would best her sons at cards and a game of Qwirkle.

A woman of quiet strength, class and style, her wit and smile will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Those left to cherish her memory, include sons, Rade (Janet) Milich, Daniel (Roni) Milich and William (Rebecca) Milich; grandchildren, Brittany, Joshua, Robbi, Devin, Nicholas, Danielle, Molly, Jillian and Jackson; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl Hackett; a sister, Eva Nagy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, George Milich Jr.; grandson, Zachary Cheeseman; three brothers, William Hackett, Thomas Hackett and David Hackett; and two sisters, Earla DeLess and Nancy Stewart.

MILICH — Friends and family of Bonnie Jean Milich, who died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.

Additional visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to the time of the Orthodox Litany for the Departed at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, immediately followed by a celebration of life service, all at the funeral home.

She will be laid to rest privately at Butler County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.