Obituary of Geraldine Hicks Bodnar

Steve’s sweetheart, our precious mom, and world’s best gammaw
entered into eternal rest on July 18th, 2018. Mrs. Geraldine Hicks
Bodnar was born to George W. Hicks and Verna Mae (McCommas)
Hicks, on Nov. 5, 1926 in Huntington, WV. She was reared in a
loving family with one brother and three sisters; Clifford, Oneida,
Ernestine and Pauline. She spent her formative years as a “city girl.”
Always an athlete, she was selected as “Most Athletic” at
Huntington High School her senior year.
She was the first, and only, among five siblings to graduate college
(and in 3 years)! She received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from
Marshall College (now MU). While at Marshall, she was chosen as
a sister of Alpha Xi Delta social sorority.
Little did she know that when she came to the then booming coal
town of Man, WV in 1948, seeking work as a teacher, that she
would make that small Logan Co. town her home. She won the
heart (maybe it was the dimples?) of the “love of her life,” Stephen
Bodnar Jr. and made him a happy man when she became his bride
in 1950. They were blessed with two sons.
She worked 32 years teaching the youth at Man (jr. and sr. high), as
a health, social studies or physical education teacher, retiring in
1989. Many may remember her as the girls’ basketball coach, and
the cheerleading sponsor at MHS.
Jerry loved bicycling, tennis, walking, British comedies and TAB
cola. Flower arranging and volunteering as the church florist
provided her hours of joy. She enjoyed sunbathing, the beach, front
porches and a really great chuckle. She could replicate recipes from
restaurants (way before the availability of the Internet). She was
passionate about anything chocolate and anything to do with loving
and caring for her family. In her middle years, she attended a rock
concert with her son, and sewed 200 chair covers for her son’s
wedding, because the bride couldn’t locate white ones. The “boys”
all have polyester “leisure suits”crafted by her, and there’s a picture
to prove it! Her love for her family knew no bounds. Although her
latter years were affected by Parkinson’s, which eventually took
away her physical and mental abilities, we’ll have her precious
memories forever. A life “well lived.”
Surviving: Her loving husband, Stephen Bodnar Jr., sons, Stephen
George (Tammi Vickers), David Paul (Angel Corns), grandchildren;
Olivia Claire (Columbia, MD), Madalyn Estelle, Sarah Elizabeth,
Stephen Trent and Stephen Matthew (all of Charleston, WV), many
nieces and nephews that will forever treasure their memories of her.
The family expresses their love and appreciation to Trish, Danielle,
Nat, Taylor, Cecilia and all her caregivers for their devotion,
compassion and assistance throughout the years. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to Bruce McDonald Memorial Methodist
Church.
Services will be held 11:30, on Saturday, July 21, at Bruce
McDonald United Memorial Methodist Church. It will be officiated
by, nephew, Rev. Owen Martin Jr. and Rev. Terry Stone, with
visitation at 10:30.
Interment will follow immediately after the memorial service at
Highland Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are: Ridge Cook, Gillman
Burgess, Trent Bodnar, Matthew Bodnar, George Bodnar and David
Bodnar. Honorary pallbearers: Jimmy Blankenship and Denny
Miller. Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home, Man, WV is in charge of
arrangements.