Mary Jane (Hallett) Benford

   Mary Jane Benford, 90 of Danville, IL. died Saturday, December 10, 2022 at The Villas of Hollybrook in Danville.

   Born September 19, 1932 in Georgetown, IL. she was the daughter of Everett and Sarah Elizabeth (Madden) Hallett, She married William K. Wilson on June 16, 1951 and they later divorced in 1971. In 1985 she married L. James Benford, now deceased.

   Mary Jane leaves behind her daughters: Elizabeth (Gary) Bertels of Elmhurst and Jane Ann (Richard Jr) Stitt of Danville; a stepdaughter: Susan (Ken) Ryder of Carmel, IN; a stepson: Jim (Nancy) Benford of Carmel, IN; six grandchildren: Rebecca (Greg) Minx, Gary Bertels Jr, Joshua (Annie) Bertels, Richard Stitt III, Leslie (Erik) Thomason, and Katie (Joey) Garza; three step-grandchildren: Annabeth Ryder, William Ryder, and Michael (Courtney) Ryder; thirteen great-grandchildren: Brionna (Kurt) Minx Janetske, Caleb, Benajmin and Grace Minx, Aiden and Jillian Bertels, Karlie, Kennedy, Lanie, and Carter Thomason, Zoey, Emerson, and Emery Garza; three step great-grandchildren: Audrey and Colton Benford and Aubrey Ryder; a sister-in-law: Sandy Hallett Reynolds; and six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Imogene Butikas and Alice Jeanette Hallett; three brothers: Grover, Richard, and Ronald Hallett; her husband: L. James Benford; step-father: Victor Krage; step brother-in-law and sister-in-law: LeRoy and Addie Krage; and several step nephews.

   Mary Jane worked at Continental Filling, Redwood Inn, and Alith Prouty for a time, however she was primarily a homemaker. She was a Brownie Leader and an active member of the PTA at Cannon School, as well as helped with Girl Scouts at Edison school. Mary Jane was active in the Danville Junior Women’s Club, participating in the Follies. She enjoyed dancing, golfing, and being with friends. Mary Jane was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

    Visitation will be from 9:30-11am on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville. Services will follow at 11am at the funeral home with Pastor Kent Tibben officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park.  

   Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger Funeral Home Facebook page. Donations may be made in Mary Jane’s names to Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville or the American Legion Auxiliary Curtis G. Redden Post 210.

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