Obituary of Bessie Benzel

Bessie C. Benzel

ASHTABULA- Bessie Charlotte Benzel, 102, passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2019 while a patient at ACMC.

The daughter of Victor Henry and Louise (Ehrke) Murray, Bessie was born on February 18, 1917 in Lancaster, NY.

In 1933 Bessie and Don Lathrop were married and together they celebrated the birth of their three children, Larry, Alberta and Don. Her beloved Don passed away in 1964 after thirty-one years of marriage. In 1969 she married George Wallace “Baldy” Benzel and together they collected Depression glass and many antiques, while traveling to many locations looking for that “special piece” to complete a collection.  In 2012 George passed away after forty three years of love and kindness shared between them.

Bessie was a floor supervisor for twenty two years with Fisher-Price Toys in East Aurora, New York.

Well into her nineties, Bessie still participated in bowling. Bessie enjoyed Country music and listened to Jim Reeves among other older country music legends. The greatest joy Bessie experienced was with her family. She loved unconditionally and laughed without reservation.

Bessie is survived by her beloved children, Larry and Sandra Lathrop of Cuba, New York, Alberta Seaver of Grangeville, Idaho and Donald Lathrop of Ashtabula with whom she made her home; ten grandchildren; many loving great grandchildren; and many precious great- great grandchildren.

Bessie was preceded in death by her husbands, Don Lathrop and George Benzel; siblings; step daughters, Betty Hoeft and Virginia Keye; daughter-in-law, Linda Lathrop and sons-in-law, Wilmer Seaver and  Roger Hoeft, II; her parents and many other loving family members whom she missed dearly.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on April 13, 2019 at Ridgeview Terrace Community Room at 1:00PM. A Celebration of Life will also be held on April 20, 2019 at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Cuba, NY.

Inurnment will be Oakwood Cemetery, East Aurora, New York.

DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio is assisting the family. www.ducro.com