Marylen Benson

MARYLEN BENSON

Urbana

Marylen Benson, 81, passed away Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Urbana Christian Church in Urbana with the Rev. Melanie Van Weelden officiating. Interment will be held at the Urbana Cemetery in Urbana. Visitation will be held at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday.

A memorial fund has been established.

Marylen was born May 14, 1934, in Rochelle, Ill., to William and Gladys (Hager) Bearman. On April 14, 1952, she married Lloyd Benson at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.

She was a member of the Urbana Christian Church, where she served as an elder and in the CWF. Marylen also enjoyed membership in the birthday club and the Urbana Lions Club. She also served as chairman of the board of elections for Polk Township and the chair of the needlework division at the Benton County Fair. She and Lloyd also were active in the Sheep Producer's Association. Marylen

was an accomplished homemaker whose greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marylen is survived by her husband, Lloyd of Urbana; daughter, Deb (David) Claus of Crystal Falls, Mich.; twin sons, Mike (Susan) and Gary (Bobbie) Benson, all of Urbana; daughter-in-law, Denise Benson of Marion; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Lloyd Chesmore.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Dan Benson in 2005; and her sister, Mary Chesmore in 2012.

Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneral

homes.com.