Melanie Suzanne Benford

Melanie Benford, 89, of Mt. Pleasant passed away peacefully Thursday, April 24, 2008, at the Laurels of Mt. Pleasant, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Shepherd with Father Rob Howe presiding. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 9-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Diabetes Association or Hospice of Central Michigan. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Lux Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Melanie was born April 25, 1918, in Paulding, OH, the daughter of Charles and Suzanne (Brysselbout) Pety. In 1931 they moved to Mt. Pleasant where she graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1936 and received a Bachelors degree from Central Michigan University in 1940. She earned a Masters degree from New York University in 1943. On June 22, 1946 she married the late John W. Benford Jr. She taught Physical Education in Adrian Schools and Central Michigan University until her retirement in 1970. She helped establish the Thrift Shop and served on its board of directors. She was well known for teaching and calling American country dancing in Michigan. Melanie was a member of the Tourist Club, a past member of the Mt. Pleasant Recreation board and Mt. Pleasant Historical Society. She was an avid antique collector. Melanie is survived by two children, Melanie Penny (Doug) McFarlane and Greg (Diane) Benford, both of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren, Jenna (Chris) Rowland, Garren McFarlane, Allison (Matt) Chiodini, and Leslie Benford; one great-grandson, Jack Chiodini; and one sister, Jacqueline Campbell of Shepherd. Besides her husband and parents, Melanie was preceded in death by five brothers, Henry, Maurice, Victor, Charles, and Paul Pety; and three sisters, Germaine Aldus, Joan Sorrell, and Louise Klunzinger.