Mary Frances (Graden) Benning, 95, of Hillsboro, Illinois passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

She was born May 8, 1921in Richmond, Indiana to Emet Earl and Nellie Marine (Johnson) Graden.

She attended Irving High School and Witt High School, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class.  She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree from Illinois State University.

Mary Frances worked as a school teacher and was a farm wife. She enjoyed knitting, teaching others to knit, knitting caps for cancer patients, writing poetry and collecting elephants.

She married Maynard Benning at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 1, 1945. He preceded her in death on July 25, 2004.

She is survived by five sons: Russell (Cathleen Benning) of Springfield, Illinois, Marlyn (Linda Jo) of Litchfield, Illinois, Carl (Karen) of St. Peter, Illinois, Loren (Carol) of Raymond, Illinois, and Warren (Debbie) of Irving, Illinois; 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Surviving are sisters: Patricia Johnson of Raymond, Illinois, Janet (Don) Satterlee of Effingham, Illinois, Marine (Bob) Satterlee of Channahon, Illinois, and sister-in-law Joann Graden of Nokomis, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grand-daughter Kristen Benning, sister Roberta Johnson, and brother Richard Graden.

Mary Frances lived out her faith every day of her life.  She was actively involved in her churches in both Harvel and Hillsboro for many decades teaching Sunday School, organizing the Married Couples Society, leading a seniors group, and participating in Ladies Aid.  She also held many positions in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Outside of church, she was involved in the Montgomery County Republican Women’s group and the Montgomery County Genealogical Society.

Visitation will be Wednesday September 21, 2016, from 4 – 8 P.M. at Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois.

Funeral services will be Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 10:00 A.M., with a visitation beginning at 9:00 A.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, with Reverend Karl Wellnitz and Reverend David Benning officiating.

Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond, Illinois.

Memorials contributions may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro or to the Benning Scholarship Fund for students of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. 

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