Mary Frances (Graden) Benning, 95, of Hillsboro died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Hillsboro Area Hospital.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hough and Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro and Thursday, Sept. 22, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.
Funeral services will follow visitation on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Karl Wellnitz and the Rev. David Benning officiating. Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond.
Mrs. Benning was born on May 8, 1921, in Richmond, IN, the daughter of the late Emet Earl and Nellie Marine (Johnson) Graden. She married Maynard Benning at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 1, 1945, and he preceded her in death on July 25, 2004.
She attended Irving High School and Witt High School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She went on to earn a bachelor of education degree from Illinois State University.
Mrs. Benning worked as a school teacher and was a farm wife. She enjoyed knitting, teaching others to knit, knitting caps for cancer patients, writing poetry and collecting elephants.
She lived out her faith every day of her life and was actively involved in her churches in both Harvel and Hillsboro for many decades teaching Sunday school, organizing the Married Couples Society, leading a seniors group and participating in Ladies Aid. She also held many positions in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Outside of church, she was involved in the Montgomery County Republican Women’s group and the Montgomery County Genealogical Society.
Mrs. Benning is survived by five sons, Russell (Cathleen) Benning of Springfield, Marlyn (Linda Jo) of Litchfield, Carl (Karen) Benning of St. Peter, Loren (Carol) Benning of Raymond and Warren (Debbie) Benning of Irving; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Johnson of Raymond, Janet (Don) Satterlee of Effingham and Marine (Bob) Satterlee of Channahon; and sister-in-law, Joann Graden of Nokomis.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grand-daughter, Kristen Benning; sister, Roberta Johnson; and brother, Richard Graden.
Memorials contributions may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro or to the Benning Scholarship Fund for students of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.
Online condolences may be left at houghfuneralhomes.com.
