Print
E-mail
Tributes
Betty J. Sargent Benjamin
June 13, 1925 - July 31, 2008
MONTROSE - Betty J. Sargent Benjamin, 83, a resident of the Montrose Health Care Center, and formerly of Warsaw, Ill., died Thursday morning, July 31, 2008, in the health care center.
She was born on June 13, 1925, in Chicago, the daughter of Harold “Ding” Sargent and Gladys Sweeney.
Her parents came back to Keokuk in 1931 where Betty attended St. Vincent and St. Peter Catholic schools, participating in plays, choir and private piano lessens. Later, she completed the Rod Sterling School of Writing, where she held an “A” average. Her classmates would request that she make up scary stories. She carried a camera at all times to take pictures. She enjoyed a good game of poker, shuffle board and the “old” Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. She loved Big Band music and detective and mystery reading.
She was a former member of the Eagles and the VFW Auxiliary. She was very patriotic.
She was first married to David Mangrum, and then in 1947 she married George Shearer. Of that union her only children, two daughters, were born. Later, she married Jim O'Conner, and in 1968 she married Marion E. “Benny” Benjamin, earlier nicknamed “Bud.” He preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1995.
Betty had been a bartender most of her adult life as were two generations before her. She was most proud when she was able to take over her parents' business, “The Rendezvous Tavern,” which they began in 1934 and which she ran until the early 1970s when she and Benny moved to Eunice, La., where she managed Tazee's Tavern. She later returned to live in Warsaw.
Betty is survived by her Montrose Health Center family, especially Mary Ellen Scott, also, a dear friend, Alberta “Bert” Robinson. Additional survivors include: a daughter, Melanie Sparrow and her husband, Allen; a granddaughter, Tammi Clarke and her husband, Kevin, and their children Kody and Stephanie of Georgia; a grandson, Steven “Tony” Gordon, and his daughter, Annie, both of California, and his son, Dane A. Gordon McCorkle of Kentucky; another grandson, Mark Gordon, and his wife, Erin, and their daughter, Karlee, of California; and her only surviving beloved cat, Precious/Demon.
She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassie Jo “Casey” Shearer in 1964; her infant sister, Shirley Ann; her parents; her dear maternal grandparents, Joe Sweeney and her “Gima Jennie” in 1936; and very special friends, Kay Katsumes, Mary Lucy Short, Ruby Pullin and Mickey Collier Hall.
Graveside funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Keokuk National Cemetery, with Pastor Bill Willis officiating.
Memorials may be made to Lee County Hospice.
On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.lamportefuneralhomes.com.
Lamporte - St.Clair Funeral Home, Hamilton, Ill., is in charge of the arrangements.
MONTROSE - Betty J. Sargent Benjamin, 83, a resident of the Montrose Health Care Center, and formerly of Warsaw, Ill., died Thursday morning, July 31, 2008, in the health care center.
She was born on June 13, 1925, in Chicago, the daughter of Harold “Ding” Sargent and Gladys Sweeney.
Her parents came back to Keokuk in 1931 where Betty attended St. Vincent and St. Peter Catholic schools, participating in plays, choir and private piano lessens. Later, she completed the Rod Sterling School of Writing, where she held an “A” average. Her classmates would request that she make up scary stories. She carried a camera at all times to take pictures. She enjoyed a good game of poker, shuffle board and the “old” Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. She loved Big Band music and detective and mystery reading.
She was a former member of the Eagles and the VFW Auxiliary. She was very patriotic.
She was first married to David Mangrum, and then in 1947 she married George Shearer. Of that union her only children, two daughters, were born. Later, she married Jim O'Conner, and in 1968 she married Marion E. “Benny” Benjamin, earlier nicknamed “Bud.” He preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1995.
ADVERTISEMENT |
Betty is survived by her Montrose Health Center family, especially Mary Ellen Scott, also, a dear friend, Alberta “Bert” Robinson. Additional survivors include: a daughter, Melanie Sparrow and her husband, Allen; a granddaughter, Tammi Clarke and her husband, Kevin, and their children Kody and Stephanie of Georgia; a grandson, Steven “Tony” Gordon, and his daughter, Annie, both of California, and his son, Dane A. Gordon McCorkle of Kentucky; another grandson, Mark Gordon, and his wife, Erin, and their daughter, Karlee, of California; and her only surviving beloved cat, Precious/Demon.
She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassie Jo “Casey” Shearer in 1964; her infant sister, Shirley Ann; her parents; her dear maternal grandparents, Joe Sweeney and her “Gima Jennie” in 1936; and very special friends, Kay Katsumes, Mary Lucy Short, Ruby Pullin and Mickey Collier Hall.
Graveside funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Keokuk National Cemetery, with Pastor Bill Willis officiating.
Memorials may be made to Lee County Hospice.
On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.lamportefuneralhomes.com.
Lamporte - St.Clair Funeral Home, Hamilton, Ill., is in charge of the arrangements.
 |
||
| Phyllis J. Sheffler |
Birdie wrote on Aug 1, 2008 2:02 PM: