Obituary
Feb. 11, 1928 - July 10, 2011
ELKHART -- Carol E. Benson, 83, residing in Elkhart, passed away on Sunday morning, July 10, 2011, at her residence. She was born on Feb. 11, 1928, in Elgin, Ill., to the late Carmi Miller and Helen (Ferriss) Hill. She married Dr. James E. Benson on Aug. 4, 1949, in Elgin, Ill.; he passed away on Oct. 21, 2007, in Elkhart.
Surviving are her sons; James A. Benson of Elkhart and Steven M. Benson of Orlando, Fla., daughters; Chris E. Willis of Anthem, Ariz., Susan K. Benson of Orlando, Fla., Laura A. Swatek of Littleton, Colo., and Martha L. Baker of Elkhart, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren survive as well.
Carol was an active and inquisitive soul all her life. She attended IUSB/Elkhart while raising 6 children and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Putting her newly acquired skills to good use, she worked for a time at Elkhart General Hospital. Her many interests included enjoyment of the outdoors by camping, biking, boating, tennis or gardening. Her exploits included hiking along a section of the Appalachian Trail with a good friend, and biking from Elkhart to Pokagon State Park with the same friend. Carol was an avid reader and traveled throughout North America and Europe with her husband. Her artistic nature showed in her cross stitch work and quilts she made.
In the 1970's Carol served as president of the now inactive Elkhart County Medical Auxiliary, and also was involved with United Way. Carol was very committed to Meals on Wheels, as she followed a route for over 10 years with her husband and son. She was a co-founder of the Elkhart Hospice program as well as a co-founder of CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services) in Elkhart County and also served as a volunteer with Riverview Adult Day care. Carol was proud of her membership with the Colonial Dames as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A Celebration of her life memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at 3 p.m., where friends may visit with her family beginning at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart. The Rev. Stephen Braden will celebrate as well as anyone wishing to remember her and share how she touched their lives. In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place with burial in the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden.
Carol was an amazing woman. We will miss her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Center for Hospice Care 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637 or Goldenrod 1514 College Ave., Goshen, IN 46526. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart.
ELKHART -- Carol E. Benson, 83, residing in Elkhart, passed away on Sunday morning, July 10, 2011, at her residence. She was born on Feb. 11, 1928, in Elgin, Ill., to the late Carmi Miller and Helen (Ferriss) Hill. She married Dr. James E. Benson on Aug. 4, 1949, in Elgin, Ill.; he passed away on Oct. 21, 2007, in Elkhart.
Surviving are her sons; James A. Benson of Elkhart and Steven M. Benson of Orlando, Fla., daughters; Chris E. Willis of Anthem, Ariz., Susan K. Benson of Orlando, Fla., Laura A. Swatek of Littleton, Colo., and Martha L. Baker of Elkhart, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren survive as well.
Carol was an active and inquisitive soul all her life. She attended IUSB/Elkhart while raising 6 children and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Putting her newly acquired skills to good use, she worked for a time at Elkhart General Hospital. Her many interests included enjoyment of the outdoors by camping, biking, boating, tennis or gardening. Her exploits included hiking along a section of the Appalachian Trail with a good friend, and biking from Elkhart to Pokagon State Park with the same friend. Carol was an avid reader and traveled throughout North America and Europe with her husband. Her artistic nature showed in her cross stitch work and quilts she made.
In the 1970's Carol served as president of the now inactive Elkhart County Medical Auxiliary, and also was involved with United Way. Carol was very committed to Meals on Wheels, as she followed a route for over 10 years with her husband and son. She was a co-founder of the Elkhart Hospice program as well as a co-founder of CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services) in Elkhart County and also served as a volunteer with Riverview Adult Day care. Carol was proud of her membership with the Colonial Dames as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A Celebration of her life memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at 3 p.m., where friends may visit with her family beginning at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart. The Rev. Stephen Braden will celebrate as well as anyone wishing to remember her and share how she touched their lives. In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place with burial in the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden.
Carol was an amazing woman. We will miss her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Center for Hospice Care 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637 or Goldenrod 1514 College Ave., Goshen, IN 46526. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol E. Benson, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
August
26
First Presbyterian Church
2:00 - 3:00 pm