Obituary of Geneva A. Bodine

Geneva Arona (Stepp) Bodine, passed away at Inspira Medical Center, Vineland, on November l9, 2016, after a 5 year illness. She was 92 years old and lived a life filled with different and exciting adventures. She loved country music, loved to talk and was always ready to help family or strangers with food or shelter. One of her greatest joys was working in her gardens in both New Jersey and Florida. She was born to the late S. Towney and Stella (Garrett) Stepp on May 10, 1924, in the beautiful farming community of Deer Lodge, Tennessee. After her father was killed in a tragic accident, her mother married William Ellis and the family relocated to West Virginia, where Geneva and her brother Eugene became children of a Coal Miner. It was a hard life for the family, and as Tennessee Ernie Ford’s song, “16 Tons” suggested, they owed their souls to the Company Store. They may not have had a lot of money but it was a happy home filled with love for the continuously growing family. Her most exciting job and one that she loved to tell stories about, was as a civilian recruit at Camp Hale, Colorado. While there she worked in the kitchen during construction of the camp. She had many stories about this adventure including her bus almost being buried in a sandstorm on her return home. At the age of 18 she moved to Bridgeton to work at the Owens Illinois Glass Plant. In l944, she married Walter (Shad) Bodine, a sailor, home on leave with a service related injury. As part of her husband's medical rehab, they moved to East Port, Rhode Island. While living there, Geneva worked as a nurse's aide so she could be near her new husband. After Walter's discharge from the Navy, they moved back to Bridgeton and were ready to start a family. As the family grew, the need for a larger house grew too. In 1950 they relocated to Cedarville, to their beloved home on Maple Avenue. Even after the children left home and Walter passed away in 1976, she continued to remain on Maple Avenue until 1989. Geneva was a member of the Cedarville Methodist Church and also belonged to the Loyal Daughters of the Cedarville Baptist Church. She was very community oriented and was always involved in her children’s activities. She was both a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was very involved with the Cedarville School PTA, especially in their fund-raising activities. She was a Life Member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion. She was a previous member of the Women's Auxiliary of Elks Lodge #733 and the Moose Lodge in Bridgeton. In the 1960s she held the position of Welfare Director in Lawrence Township. Geneva and her family will be forever known for Bodine's Catering, a very successful business which she owned and operated for over twenty years. Her Italian Sauce (Gravy) and Black Walnut Pound Cake, which were always the most popular items on the Buffet, helped make the business well-known in South Jersey. In the early 70s they leased the former Italian American Civic Club as their catering establishment. After retirement, Geneva moved to Florida with her long-time friend and companion, Jim Wilson. She was involved in many activities in their retirement community, including the local VFW. Together they attended Church in the clubhouse at Vista Del Logo, an over 55 community near their Davenport home and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Geneva survived a horrific automobile accident when she was 71. Trapped in her burning car in SC, she was rescued by her Guardian Angel, Willie Young. After freeing her from the car he carried her to the highway median where they watched her car explode minutes later. Her only injuries were small burns and a fractured femur. Another fall in January of 2011, injuring the same femur kept her housebound at her daughter Brenda's home in Upper Deerfield since that time. Those left to cherish her memories are three children, Carol Tanimae (Tom) Oviedo, Fl., Richard Bodine, Davenport, Fl, Brenda Hewitt, (Gary) Bridgeton, NJ. 9 grandchildren, Brandon Tanimae, Lindsey Dembkoski, Rich Bodine, Andy Bodine, Faith Bodine, Brent Bodine, Melissa Hitchner, Michael Hewitt and Matthew Hewitt, along with15 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her dear friend and partner for the last 38 years and caregiver to the end, James Wilson, Jr., and sister, Barbara Greer, Chauncey, W. Va., along with many nieces and nephews She was predeceased by her husband, Walter, Sr., her son, Walter, Jr., and his wife, Christine Hirst Bodine. Also predeceased by three brothers, Eugene Stepp, Ray Ellis and Bruce Ellis and six sisters, Oneeda Huff, June King, Maebyrd Collins, twins Grady and Grace Ellis and Stella Ellis and her Guardian Angel Willie Young. Services will be held on Wednesday morning, November 30th at 11:00 at the Padgett Funeral Home, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 10 to 11 prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Geneva’s memory be made to the Upper Deerfield EMS, Upper Deerfield Fire Company Station 33 or a charity of one’s choice. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.