Sandra Benninghoff
God called His “Little Lamb, Sandra” to her eternal home on Monday, Jan. 23, the home she yearned for.
Sandie was born to John and Virginia (Knowles) Crothers on Nov. 1, 1940, in South Bend. She graduated from Riley High School and then from World Harvest Bible College as valedictorian in 1988.
Sandra was a single mom for many years before marrying an awesome man, Eugene Benninghoff, on his birthday, June 26, 1975. Eugene preceded her in death on Nov. 27, 2021. Also preceding her in death are two great-grandbabies: Branson Watkins and Hannah Piedre. Sandie always dreamed of having 12 children. She was blessed with six and ended up with her 12 when they all married.
She leaves behind her devoted children: Kim [Kent] Onax, Bob [Donna] Watkins, Corinne Watkins, Joe Watkins, Kenneth [Chris] Watkins and David [Jenn] Benninghoff; a special step-daughter, Kathy Austin; 64 adoring grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, with two more great-great grands on the way; sister Jill [Tom] Richards; brother Jack [Patti] Crothers; and four very special nieces: Kathy, Jacqui, Amy and Brittany; a loving sister-in-law, Dixie Fish; her uncle Larry [Caroline] Knowles; and a special lifelong friend, Phyllis Hong.
After retirement, Eugene and Sandra moved to their lake cottage on the edge of Lake Bruce in Kewanna where they loved to fish, go boating and host many family events with family and friends camping not only in their home but also spread out on their lawn. She always kept a garden and made the best zucchini bread ever.
She read the Bible daily for hours on end and prayed for many lives from her prayer request books, she was a mighty prayer warrior. Sandy inherited the strength and boldness of her dad and the sweet, gentle side from her mom. She had a soft, tender healing touch in her hands, which those hands could play the sweetest song on her piano and crochet a gorgeous bedspread. Keeping her Minister license valid, she was able to marry numerous grandchildren and even baptized a few.
She lived like Jesus and loved like Jesus, as her granddaughter Morgan wrote, “I’d like to think that if she could have said goodbye, it would have been as she always said goodbye, ‘God be with you,’” so to our loving mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend, “may His peace be with you,” and it truly is His peace that is with you! Although our hearts are heavy with missing our sweet momma, we are overjoyed that she finally met her Jesus face to face with no more suffering. “Glory to God who gave us life beyond the grave.”
Visitation was from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, IN. A funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Burial followed in Southlawn Cemetery in South Bend.
To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com or the Hahn Funeral Home Facebook page.
(Pulaski County Journal — Feb. 1, 2023)