Bonnie Smith

Bonnie “Tatabon” Smith, 85, of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at Meadville Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born November 5, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Nancy (Beattie) Buerkle and Clement Michael Buerkle II. Bonnie attended Mt. Lebanon High School and Michigan State University. She lived a life defined by family, generosity, laughter, and hard work. She had a deep love for Conneaut Lake and treasured living on the East side.

Bonnie was always on the go, always helping, and always bringing people together. Whether she was organizing a fundraiser, working at the golf course, riding snowmobiles, taking boat rides around the lake, or singing along to some Neil Diamond with her grandkids, Bonnie lived life fully and made life more fun for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Bonnie married Alan E. Heil Sr. on July 26, 1958. Together they built a life centered around family, business, and adventure while raising their children and building Heil Control. Some of her favorite memories came from the HeilCats snowmobile racing team and life on the farm. She later married Richard “Dick” Smith on February 15, 1992, and together they shared many happy years filled with golf, friendships, and sunsets over Conneaut Lake.

Bonnie worked hard her entire life and was never afraid to lead. She was the owner of Heil Control for 35 years as the country’s first female chemical applicator, owned the Lakeside Drive In, and managed Oakland Beach Golf Course and Fairway 12. She also devoted countless hours to organizations including Samaritans Holy Ground Thrift Shop, Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Departments, Conneaut Lake Aquatic Management Association (CLAMA), and Conneaut Lake Youth Association, where she served as president and longtime supporter. She also served Sadsbury Township as Township Supervisor and on both the zoning and police boards, becoming a true cornerstone of the community.

Her faith was an important part of her life. Bonnie was a devoted Catholic, a member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church, and often attended Mass at Saint Philip in Linesville as well. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and on the church council for decades.

More than anything, Bonnie loved her family and the life they built together at the lake. She is survived by her children Kathleen (Heil) and her husband Dan Wiltrout of Rockford, MI; Meg (Heil) and her husband John Hilla of Palmyra, PA; Alan E. Heil Jr. “Dupper” and his wife Amber (Rendulic) of Conneaut Lake, PA; and step-son Joe Smith and his wife Cathy of Meadville, PA.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Kevin (Mandy) Wiltrout, Lisa (Kyle) Welter, Erin (Nick) Sechrist, and Lucy and Kasey Smith; her great grandchildren Kalin, Maya, Ayla, and Autumn Wiltrout, Charlotte and Isabelle Welter, and Kennedy Sechrist; her sister in law Janet Buerkle; many cherished nieces and nephews; and beloved grand-dogs Nancy and Penny.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Barbara Bowen, Beverly Willis, and C. Michael Buerkle III, and her husbands Alan Heil Sr. and Richard “Dick” Smith, and her step-son Chad Smith.

She found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was a founding member of the Tuesday Morning Ladies Golf League, which is over 60-years-old and still going, and she organized OBWOT. She was a member of the Friday Night Couples League at Oakland Beach Golf Course and enjoyed HeilCats snowmobile racing, bowling, horseback riding, and boat rides around Conneaut Lake with family and friends.

Bonnie, lovingly known as Tatabon and Bon, will be remembered for her strength, her generosity, humor, and the countless ways she showed up for others. She was the heart of gatherings and the keeper of stories. She was a natural storyteller who loved sharing memories, laughter, and life lessons with family and friends. Whether through her work, her volunteer service, or a simple conversation, she had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for. Conneaut Lake will feel a little quieter without her, but the memories and traditions she created will live on for generations.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bonnie’s life on Friday, June 19, from 4–7 p.m. at Tedesco-Dickson Funeral Home, 130 North 2nd Street, Conneaut Lake, PA. Saturday, June 20, there will be receiving beginning at 9:00 a.m., and a mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Philip Roman Catholic Church, 401 South Mercer Street, Linesville, PA with interment to follow at Our Lady, Queen of the Americas Cemetery. A gathering will be held afterward at the Iroquois Boating and Fishing Club, 10733 Konneyaut Trail, Conneaut Lake, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Conneaut Lake Aquatic Management Association (CLAMA), PO Box 49, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, or the Samaritans of the Conneaut Lake Area, 181 South 9th Street, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316.