Bonita B. "Bonnie" Richter

Bonita B. "Bonnie" Richter, 83, passed away on November 5, 2025, at her home. She had been in declining health for several years. Bonnie was born January 15, 1942, on the family farm in Morrow County, Ohio, to Harley W. and Mary Eva (Wittmer) Prosser. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1960 and was a lifelong area resident. Bonnie worked a series of secretarial jobs in the 1970s before becoming a full-time Realtor in 1980. Known then as Bonnie Wilson, she worked at Century 21 Bowman Realty in Lexington and took great pride in helping many clients become first-time homeowners. After earning her Broker license, Bonnie moved to Coldwell Banker Mattox McCleery, Realtors in 1989, retiring in 2005.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Robert "Bob" Richter, who faithfully cared for her in the final years of her life and made sure that she always had fresh flowers nearby. Bonnie and Bob met on Match.com in 2004 and soon discovered that they had been high school classmates and played in the pep band together. Their shared history and interests helped cement their love, and they were married on April 2, 2006.
Bonnie is also survived by her daughters, Sherrilyn Wilson and Nancy (Dan) Long; stepchildren Rob (Lori) Richter and Shannon (Jeff) Reiser; grandchildren Nathan Long, Hanna (Aaron) Sanders, Ashley Richter, Anthony Richter, Tyler Richter, and Brent Reiser; four great-grandchildren; a nephew and four nieces; sisters-in-law Pam Richter and Patty (Cecil) Stigall; as well as sisters of the heart Tina (Dale) Kisling and Dawn (Harold) Kisling. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Rae Natalie Prosser Goodall; and her brother, Joseph Prosser.
As a single mother for many years--her first two marriages ended in divorce--Bonnie learned out of necessity how to "drive a hard bargain," and she prided herself on never paying full price. She was a consummate coupon clipper and loved the challenge of saving 50% or more on her grocery bills. In fact, her first cruise was financed solely by the proceeds from mail-in rebates and refunds. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed clothes for herself and her daughters for many years. She also raised a large garden and canned vegetables to feed her family during the winters. Bonnie shared her love of flowers, music, dogs, hummingbirds, travel, and thriftiness with her daughters, and she regretted in recent years that she did not have enough energy to devote to her extensive flower beds. At every home she lived in, she planted beautiful flower gardens where none had existed.
Bonnie was blessed with the God-given talent of being able to play piano by ear; she could hear a song once or twice and then sit down and replicate it. As a teenager, she was the Sunday School pianist at the Lexington Presbyterian Church. Her daughters recall falling asleep many nights to the sound of their mother playing the piano while they were growing up. Her repertoire tended toward hymns and show tunes, and into her 70s she enjoyed sharing her talent with nursing home residents.
Bonnie loved going on cruises, playing Scrabble, dining out, square dancing at Malabar Farm, and attending musical events at the Renaissance Theater. A third-generation Lexington graduate, she was active in the Lexington Alumni Association and served with her husband Bob on the Alumni Banquet Planning Committee for six years. During the 1970s, Bonnie was an active member of the Galion chapter of Parents Without Partners and devoted countless hours to producing the monthly newsletter, which won several awards.
Bonnie was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Cross in Lexington for over 20 years and most recently was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church near Bellville.
Visitation will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 4-7 pm in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where her funeral will be Friday at 11 am. Rev. Dr. Karen Hartley will officiate and burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Richland County (adoptourstrays.com) or to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.