Bonnie Lou Jirles

Bonnie Lou Jirles, 89, of Cambridge, died Tuesday (February 11, 2020) at the Morrison House - Zanesville.

Bonnie was born May 4, 1930 in Middlebourne to Harry V. and Ada Casterline – her mother died when she was just three days old. It was the Depression Era and there were other young children at home. Bonnie was adopted by close family friends, Frank and Lillian (Rice) Jirles. They raised Bonnie and she was their only child. Frank and Lillian gave Bonnie so much love, guidance, and an education so the she could later teach. They also brought Bonnie up in a Christian home and set an example of how to live a Christian life. Praise God for such wonderful parents. Some sixty years later, Bonnie's biological siblings reached out to her and they were reunited.

Bonnie was a life-long Cambridge resident, graduating from Cambridge High School in 1948. Then, due to the influence of her own second grade teacher Miss Kathryn Booth, she enrolled at Muskingum College and earned her degree in teacher education in 1952. As fate would have it, she herself became a second grade teacher in the then "new" Lincoln Elementary School.

Bonnie devoted her entire career of thirty-eight years to Lincoln Elementary and its students. As a testament to her dedication, she was named "Teacher of the Year" by Cambridge City Schools and named "Outstanding Educator" by the Zanesville Area Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.

Her area roots are also evident in her life-long active membership with the Faith United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her half-brother, Vernon Casterline of Cambridge; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Saturday (February 15, 2020) from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Cambridge, where funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. with Pastor Georgette Gaston officiating.

Burial will be at Northwood Cemetery, Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Faith United Methodist Church, 500 S 7th Street, Cambridge OH 43725.

Saturday, February 15, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Faith United Methodist Church 500 S 7th Street Cambridge, OH 43725

Saturday, February 15, 2020 12:00 PM

Faith United Methodist Church 500 S 7th Street Cambridge, OH 43725