Lillian Marie Benjamin, 85, of LaPorte, died July 11, 2015.
She was born Aug. 14, 1929, in Wayne County, IN, to Edward and Marie (Lyons) Johnson. She was the oldest of nine children: brothers, Edward R. Johnson, James Johnson, Donald Johnson, Perry Johnson; and sisters, Ruth Ann Toschlog, Jane Ellen Zuck, Mary Owens and Alice Boughner. She enjoyed caring for her younger siblings as the family grew. She graduated from Richmond High School and attended Purdue University, studying home economics.
On Aug. 26, 1950, she married Jules A. Benjamin, who survives. She worked in real estate, owning Benjamin Realty and working for LaPorte Realty and Century 21 while raising four children: daughters, Cynthia Bensinger (Lytle) of Carmel, IN, and Marie Gilliland (Edward) of LaPorte; and sons, Michael Benjamin (Sheryl) of Denver, CO, and David Benjamin (Linda) of Fort Myers, FL.
Lillian was a loving mother and wife. Her favorite hobby was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, singing songs, reading books, playing games, and always cooking up their favorite foods. She also enjoyed playing cards with her husband and neighbors and friends. She was an avid reader and maintained her own home library. She enjoyed hosting her family each Sunday and was a great cook. Her grandchildren all enjoyed their special visits: Sarah Ford, Erin Ford, Eric Bensinger (Jacki), Sarah Bensinger, Katie Leach (Patrick), Jacob Benjamin, Alissa Doerner (David), Bart Clark, Cameron Clark, Jared Clark, Holly Linebaugh (Mac), Liz Antos (Kyle), Malorie Tonagel (Joel), and Jimmy Gilliland. She has 12 great-grandchildren and each is blessed to have known and loved her. She was active in Rosary Sodality events for many years at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fish Lake, and the last 18 years attended mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was president of the Community Concert Association for a number of years and supported its efforts to bring the joy of music to the community. She delivered for Meals on Wheels and volunteered in other community efforts. She was affectionately called “Fireball” by some family members for her feisty and strong character.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Edward R. Johnson, and her grandson, Cameron.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in LaPorte, where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Essling Funeral Home-Frank L. Keszei, director, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to St. Anthony Franciscan Hospice Community, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.