Lillian Marie (Johnson) Benjamin

Lillian Marie Benjamin

Lillian was born 8/14/1929 to Edward and Marie (Lyons) Johnson, in Wayne County, Indiana.  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 August 26, 1950 she married Jules A. Benjamin, who survives.  She worked in Real Estate, owning Benjamin Realty and working for La Porte Realty and Century 21 while raising four children; daughters, Cynthia Bensinger (Lytle) of Carmel IN and Marie Gilliland (Edward) of La Porte; 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’s Catholic Church in Fish Lake, and the last 18 years attended mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  She was President of the Community Concert Association a number of years and supported their 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, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in LaPorte, where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Franciscan Hospice Community, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Arrangements by Essling Funeral Home-Frank L. Keszei Funeral Director.  To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com.

 Service Information