Beatrice Margaret Benton

Beatrice M. Benton, 101, of Milan, IL, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023, at Allure of the Quad Cities, Moline.

She was born to James and Margaret Lawler in Westside, Iowa, on July 13, 1922. Twin sister, Blanche Mary, died at nine months. Brother John (Catherine) Lawler, both deceased. She married Thomas I. Smith on October 25, 1947. She later married Lyman W. Benton on July 26, 1975.

Beatrice has been a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and the Blue Cross Mission Ladies in Milan, IL, for many years. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, reading, and being with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and new great-great-grandson. She retired from John Deere Intercontinental Ltd. in 1976.

Beatrice is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Richard) Meers, Milan, IL; son, Dr. Ronald (Susan) Smith, Gloucester, VA; grandchildren, Michele Meers, Milan, IL; Cynthia (Jim) Schoeck, Rock Island, IL, Dr. Joshua (Nicole) Smith, Newport News, VA, Sarah Kelleher, New Jersey; 9 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents, twin sister, brother and sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, infant grandson, and great-grandson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan, IL. Burial will be in Moline Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Make A Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Special thanks to Bea's friends at Allure in Moline, IL, Wednesday Group from Sacred Heart, Moline, IL, Genesis Hospice, and best friend, Jeff.

Condolences may be expressed at wendtfuneralhome.com.