Valerie Benedict
Jerseyville |
Valerie Lavay Benedict, 67, died at 10:05 a.m., Sunday, June 26, 2016 at her residence in Jerseyville.
She was born in Jerseyville on May 5, 1949, and was the daughter of Louis Mahon & Vivian (Weller) Kadell.
She grew up in Jerseyville, where she attended school, and as the oldest member of a large family, she helped care for her eight siblings. Doing for others was a trait that Valerie began at an early age, and carried that same loving heart throughout her life. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who always put her family first, and did everything in her power to give them everything that they would ever need.
She retired as a home health aide for Illinois Valley Senior Citizens, and was an active bike rider, and any spare moment was occupied with her amazing crocheting skills, of which she provided the homeless with her hats and blankets that were made with love.
She married Robin J. Benedict on June 4, 1966 at the First Baptist Church in Jerseyville, and they were recently blessed with a 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
Surviving are her husband, Robin Benedict of Jerseyville; her five children & their spouses, Mark & Heather Benedict of Jerseyville, Matt & Kimberly Benedict of Greenfield, Robert & Marci Benedict of Elsah, Jeff Benedict, and his companion, Jessica Friedel of Jerseyville, and Renee Rawson of Jerseyville; 12 Grandchildren;' 3 Great Grandchildren and one due in February; four sisters, Sanna Graybek of Unionville, Tn., Rebecca Kessinger of White Hall, Melissa Herring of Delhi, and Jennifer Hoots of Roodhouse; three brothers, Michael Kessinger of Roodhouse, and Joseph Kessinger and John Kessingerboth of White Hall.
She was preceded in death by her father, and mother, Vivian Kessinger; a son in law, Jay Rawson; and a brother, William Kessinger.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday. Rev. Wilbur Cain will officiate.
Cremation will take place after the services, and a private burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the Jerseyville Salvation Army Food Pantry.
Crawford Funeral Home
