Dolores Mae Benzinger's Obituary
Dolores "Dee" Mae Benzinger, 98, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away June 18, 2024, at The Village of Inverness, Fort Wayne. Born in Paulding County, Ohio near the village of Cecil on October 2, 1925. She was the daughter of the late Earl Stallbaum and Cleota (Lee) Stallbaum. She spent early childhood in Ohio before the family moved to the area of Fort Wayne, IN within walking distance of downtown where she discovered her love for Coney Island hot dogs. Early on her father got the family a dog, which began a life-long connection with dogs. The family later settled near Hoagland, IN where she graduated from Hoagland High School. In 1944 she married Willard "Bill" Benzinger, and they had four children. Dolores worked for General Electric (GE). As a member of the Elex Club at GE she traveled worldwide with a group of friends and family to places such as Hawaii, Denmark, Canada and Mexico. After retirement she was a dedicated volunteer at Red Cross and Lutheran Hospital and continued to travel. She also continued to enjoy Bingo, Yahtzee, jigsaw puzzles and cards. She loved Euchre and was often on the winning side playing with family. She loved the holidays and at Christmas everyone would receive unique personal gifts.
She is survived by her daughters, Colleen Collins and Karen Lanning; sons, Derrall (Debbie) Benzinger and Shawn (Rachael) Benzinger; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and 17 great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a sister and a great-great grandchild.
Funeral service is 2 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2024, at Harper's Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven, with visitation two hours prior (12 to 2 p.m.). Streaming Link -- https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/dolores-benzinger
Burial in IOOF Cemetery, New Haven. Preferred memorials to American Red Cross. To share online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com.
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