Bonnie Shook, Scouting pioneer, passes at 97

Bonnie pictured in 2015 during the dedication of the "Bonnie Shook Nature Center" at Camp Lakota in Defiance, where she served as camp director for serval years.

Longtime community servant Bonnie Shook passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, after a lifelong commitment to self-less service in the community.

The 97-year-old served as a volunteer for more than 70 years in the Boy Scouts of America, locally in the Greater Lima area as part of Shawnee Council and now Black Swamp Area Council.

A distinguished Boy Scout leader in our community, Bonnie generously supported and made a commitment to ensure growth of youth in West Central and Northwest Ohio.

In her time in the Boy Scouts, Bonnie was a trailblazer as a “first” for women in our local council including: the first woman camp director at Camp Lakota; first female COPE director; first female elected to the council’s Order of the Arrow lodge, where she’s a Vigil member (1992), and given a name interpreted as “Servant of the Lord”.

Additionally, she was an organizer of the first University of Scouting; first woman elected to the executive board (1978); and, first to serve as one of the board’s vice presidents over Cub Camping. In 1994, she completed her Wood Badge, as well as served on the council’s National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) assessment team.

She was married to Belford Shook, who also was a Boy Scout volunteer, prior to his death in 1982.

Her involvement continued in other community volunteer programs with Lima Memorial Health Systems, Girl Scouts, and at her church, United Church of Lima. 

Bonnie was honored as the 2010 Jefferson Award winner and represented the community at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.

One of Bonnie’s achievements was being instrumental in the development of the in-school Scouting program for the Lima City School system in the 1990s and 2000s. Hundreds of youth were part of this program and its impact is still felt today.

“During my time serving the Lima community, I would often have various men approach me if I were in uniform and share their Scouting experience in school,” said Assistant Scout Executive Jim Mason. “Bonnie’s true impact can never be measured, but when a grown man can show the Scout Sign and recite the Scout Law perfectly after so many years, shows just a little bit of Bonnie’s lasting legacy.”

Bonnie pictured here with five Eagle Scouts from Troop 65 celebrating their accomplishment in 2014.

She’s a Silver Fawn Medal recipient, which was introduced by the BSA in1971 for use at the council level, designed to be the women's equivalent of the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Fawn recognition was discontinued in 1974, making it one of the BSA’s rarest honors. Bonnie is one of only 2,455 to ever receive the award nationwide, and, one of just 7 in BSAC. The Silver Fawn, and Silver Beaver award which continues, are the highest honor a local council can bestow on a volunteer.

“Scouting lost a true friend in Bonnie,” said Mason added. “She was an evangelist for Scouting who gave so much back to the community. She was given a platform and made such a positive difference as a missionary for good.”

Bonnie’s Scouting Spirit has planted seeds in the lives of thousands, giving the vision and values for a solid foundation with direction and meaning to the things we cherish in the Boy Scouts of America.

Update: Her full funeral arrangements and obituary can found HERE!

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, 920 N. Cable Rd., Lima, Ohio. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at South Side Christian Church. Rev. Todd Cosart will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or Boy Scouts of America. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.