Submitted by: Dan Rich

Katherine Elizabeth Benjamin

Nov. 21, 1910 - July 30, 2007

South Bend Tribune 8/1/2007
MISHAWAKA - Katherine E. "Honey" Benjamin, 96, of Mishawaka, was received into the arms of her Savior Monday morning, July 30, 2007, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. She was in good health, for her age, until suffering a fall in May of this year. Katherine was born November 21, 1910, in Mishawaka, the sixth child born to the late August J. and Rose (Lamirand) Weber. She grew up in Mishawaka and made the community her lifelong home.

On April 22, 1930, Katherine married Carl A. Benjamin and they had one daughter, Susan Benjamin (Wilford Timothy) Crane, who survives of Edwardsburg. Her surviving family also includes six grandchildren, Jill J. Crane of Lansing, MI, Marie M. (Richard) Secor of Portland, IN, Wilford Jonathan (Leslie) Crane of Elkhart, Kristine K. Crane of Loveland, OH, Timothy B. (Jean) Crane of South Park, PA, and Edward (Debra) Crane of Niles; and eight great-grandchildren, Ashley (Joseph) Spell, Collette Crane, Richard L. Secor III, Jade M. Secor, Phoenix, Christopher, Patrick and David Crane. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband in 1979; two brothers, August Weber and Allen Weber; three sisters, Jane Wolter, Marguerite Scheibelhut and Helen Wolfe; and two infant sisters, Marie and Henrietta Weber. She was very close to her siblings. Most of them lived within a few blocks of their parents and of each other. They had weekly potlucks and frequent family gatherings.

Katherine was employed at Ball Band, and for many years at Dodge Manufacturing from which she retired in 1972. She and her husband enjoyed spending winters in Bradenton, Florida, until his death in 1979. Katherine continued to winter there until 1996. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka and belonged to their Rosary Society for many years. In later years, Katherine enjoyed working in her yard, playing cards and bingo, and working crossword puzzles.

Friends may spend time with Katherine's family Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.