Bonnie Larue (Snyder) Kabler

In my greatest sorrow, I must break the sad news that our beloved Bonnie has passed from this world.

Bonnie Larue (Snyder) Kabler was born in Gettysburg, PA on December 23rd, 1960, to Betty (Smith) Snyder, and Lewin J. Snyder.  She joined a family of five older sisters, Betty Lue, Emily, Patricia, Kathy, and Lola, and three brothers, Lewin Jr., William, and Earl.  One more sister, Linda, completed the family two years later. 

By the time Bonnie started school, the large family had relocated to the Waynesboro, PA area where she attended Grace Baptist church, and, as she told me, barely tolerated education in the Waynesboro School District.  During her high school years, Bonnie worked part time at the South Mountain Restoration Center, and the Waynesboro Public Library.

I met the love of my life, and best friend in early 1979.  We married 7 months later, at the courthouse in Hagerstown MD.  In June of 1980 we welcomed the first of our six sons, James Jr, followed by Robert (1982), David (1984), Andrew (1993), Patric (2001), and Matthew (2005).  When asked why we had 6 children, Bonnie would reply with a wink and a smile “We finally figured out what was causing it.”

Bonnie was a wonderful homemaker who enjoyed gardening, sewing, and crocheting.  She was an amazing cook, and made the best baked goodies.  She took numerous temporary/part-time jobs when money got tight. She worked full-time for several years at Corning Glass Works (near Greencastle PA), and five years at Ventura Foods (Chambersburg, PA).

Our family followed opportunity and dreams from Waynesboro, to Greencastle, on to the Johnstown PA area, as far south as Clinton MD, then back to Greencastle, returning to Waynesboro, and finally settled at 228 North Street, in Meyersdale PA in the fall of 2007.

Bonnie had an amazing talent for making friends.  One wrong-number call from an 85-year-old woman in the Midwest lasted 2 hours, followed by three years of daily phone calls.  Our boys joke that if Mom goes somewhere where she has no friends, she simply makes some. 

Starting in the fall of 2001, Bonnie loved, and was loved by an increasing number of grandchildren totaling 12 to date, 2 great grandchildren, and countless dogs.

In recent years she developed an interest in solving puzzles, listening to audiobook, lots of audiobooks, and volunteering with the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank.  She was always there with a sympathetic ear.  Often receiving calls after midnight from one of her truck driving nephews, or cousins needing conversation to keep awake until they were safely home.

On Wednesday, February 18th 2026, Bonnie went to her doctor with severe abdominal pain.  She was rushed to the ER at Conemaugh Medical Center in Johnstown, PA for emergency surgery.  The medical team discovered extensive physical damage that could not be overcome. 

Some 30 Family members from as far as 100+ miles visited at her bedside throughout that night.

Our darling was removed from life support early in the morning on February 19th.  Through the dedication and caring efforts of the ICU staff, she was kept comfortable, and pain free.  I remained at her bedside, hand in hand, until her final breath, or as her sister later said, “She grabbed onto a passing angel” in the morning of Friday, February 20th, leaving behind sisters Lola and Linda, along with brothers Junior, Bill, and Earl, all her loving children, and me, her adoring husband.

Bonnie led a life well lived, and well loved.  She will be surly missed by scores of people whose lives she touched on a daily basis.  We will love, and miss her, until the day we join her, God willing.

James B Kabler, Sr.

Bonnie chose cremation with no viewing or service.  To honor her wishes, we will be holding a celebration of her life later this summer. Memorial contributions can be made to the M. Ray Leckemby Funeral Home to help with the funeral expense.