1939
Brenda
2020
Brenda Alderfer Bonheim
August 16, 1939 — September 14, 2020
Brenda Alderfer Bonheim, 81, of Lynchburg went to be with her Lord Monday, September 14, 2020. She was the loving wife of Robert S. Bonheim for over 51 years.
Brenda was born August 16, 1939 in Harleysville, PA, daughter of the late Robert Young Alderfer and Hilda Ritter Alderfer. She commenced early schooling there and later attended Bob Jones University & earning her master’s degree at Wayne State Univ. Her teaching career began at her alma mater, Bob Jones Univ, and she would continue there until she married Bob Bonheim in 1969. In 1973 she and Bob moved to Lynchburg Va joining the physical education staff at Liberty University (then Lynchburg Baptist College). Brenda was a professor and coach at Liberty University for 28 years. She founded and coached the LU Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball programs. She also served as LU’s 1st Women’s Senior Athletic Director for 28 years.
Brenda was an active member of Thomas Road Baptist Church where she played in the orchestra. Brenda remained a true example of health and fitness, exercising and walking daily until struck by liver cancer just a few weeks before her death. She had a “walking group” of lady friends, who relied on her to encourage them and organize their weekly walks. Brenda was always there to take care of, pray for and encourage others before herself. She loved being with family, serving where needed at church, gardening, and walking and hiking on the LU mountain trails behind her home. After her retirement from LU in 2001, she would describe life as “every day is a Saturday.” Brenda spent 51 summers leading & ministering to the youth of Hawaii. She lived for God and family, whom she served faithfully, and has left behind a legacy of love and service to her Savior.
In addition to her husband, Brenda is survived by children Julie (Winnie) Yeatts, Scott (Michelle) Bonheim, Corey (Elizabeth) Bonheim, grandchildren Chris (Marla) Yeatts, Zach (Amy) Bonheim, Whitney (Scott) Thacker, Courtney (Ryan) Stanley, Justin, Makena, Blake, Julia Bonheim, and great-grands Madison, Lily, Jase, Walton, Brayden, and Dylan. Brenda took special interest in each child’s, grand- and great-grandchild’s lives. All of them, except the youngest, spending summers with her and Bob on their Hawaii summer mission trips.
Brenda’s is also survived by her twin brother Brian, brother Larry and sister Grace. She is preceded in death by her brother Robert, sister Jan and her parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 17, at TRBC with visitation beginning at 5:30, both in the main sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Christian Youth Ministries of Hawaii (CYMOH) via TRBC, 1 Mountain View Rd, Lynchburg, Va 24502 attn: Tosha Jones, which Brenda and Bob founded in 1969 and remains a vibrant ministry now run by their son, Corey Bonheim and wife, Elizabeth.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.
Brenda was born August 16, 1939 in Harleysville, PA, daughter of the late Robert Young Alderfer and Hilda Ritter Alderfer. She commenced early schooling there and later attended Bob Jones University & earning her master’s degree at Wayne State Univ. Her teaching career began at her alma mater, Bob Jones Univ, and she would continue there until she married Bob Bonheim in 1969. In 1973 she and Bob moved to Lynchburg Va joining the physical education staff at Liberty University (then Lynchburg Baptist College). Brenda was a professor and coach at Liberty University for 28 years. She founded and coached the LU Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball programs. She also served as LU’s 1st Women’s Senior Athletic Director for 28 years.
Brenda was an active member of Thomas Road Baptist Church where she played in the orchestra. Brenda remained a true example of health and fitness, exercising and walking daily until struck by liver cancer just a few weeks before her death. She had a “walking group” of lady friends, who relied on her to encourage them and organize their weekly walks. Brenda was always there to take care of, pray for and encourage others before herself. She loved being with family, serving where needed at church, gardening, and walking and hiking on the LU mountain trails behind her home. After her retirement from LU in 2001, she would describe life as “every day is a Saturday.” Brenda spent 51 summers leading & ministering to the youth of Hawaii. She lived for God and family, whom she served faithfully, and has left behind a legacy of love and service to her Savior.
In addition to her husband, Brenda is survived by children Julie (Winnie) Yeatts, Scott (Michelle) Bonheim, Corey (Elizabeth) Bonheim, grandchildren Chris (Marla) Yeatts, Zach (Amy) Bonheim, Whitney (Scott) Thacker, Courtney (Ryan) Stanley, Justin, Makena, Blake, Julia Bonheim, and great-grands Madison, Lily, Jase, Walton, Brayden, and Dylan. Brenda took special interest in each child’s, grand- and great-grandchild’s lives. All of them, except the youngest, spending summers with her and Bob on their Hawaii summer mission trips.
Brenda’s is also survived by her twin brother Brian, brother Larry and sister Grace. She is preceded in death by her brother Robert, sister Jan and her parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 17, at TRBC with visitation beginning at 5:30, both in the main sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Christian Youth Ministries of Hawaii (CYMOH) via TRBC, 1 Mountain View Rd, Lynchburg, Va 24502 attn: Tosha Jones, which Brenda and Bob founded in 1969 and remains a vibrant ministry now run by their son, Corey Bonheim and wife, Elizabeth.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brenda Alderfer Bonheim, please visit our flower store.
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