Gloria J. Benton

Gloria J. Benton, 73, passed away November 26, 2017 at Aldersgate Village Retirement Community in Topeka Kansas. She was the daughter of Lewis A. and Leona "Jane" (Bunce) Hurlburt of Lake City, Michigan. She was born September 8, 1944 in Cadillac, Michigan.

While growing up, Gloria lived a life of travel and adventure with her parents and sisters. Her father, "Lew", was in the Airforce and was often transferred to different duty stations including Casablanca, Morocco; Riverdale, California; Slough, England; and Travis AFB in Fairfield California.

Some of Gloria's fondest memories while growing up were from Morocco and England. While living on the first floor of a villa in Morocco, she and her younger sister Pam would often play in the small garden out front and smell the fragrance of the flowers that bloomed there. It was here that Gloria learned to speak some French, which she would often repeat a few of the phrases she remembered over the years and then giggle.

England was the place Gloria spoke of most often with a look in her eyes that made you think it was only yesterday for her. It was here that she met Freda Swan and the Swan family who remained like a sister to her throughout her life. Whether it be dancing while listening to music on the turntable, taking care of her new twin sisters Jody and Julie, or taking tandem bicycle rides with Pam near Windsor Castle, this was the place she adored the most from her childhood.

Throughout her life, along with raising her children, going to church, and kissing every baby she saw, Gloria loved and enjoyed painting on canvas and glass, making porcelain dolls, quilting, crocheting, and various other crafts. She was referred to by many of the people who knew her as the "crafty lady".

Survivors include her loving husband of 54 years, Howard "Bud" Benton; her sons: Dana and his loving wife, Ruth Benton, Scranton, Kansas, and Marshall "Mark" Benton, Powell, Ohio; Foster children: Donna and Debbie Miller; Step-mother Helen Hurlburt; 3 sisters: Pam and brother-in-law Jim Harris, Chambersburg, PA; Jodi and brother-in-law, Bill Bradney, Elgin, IL; Julie Perrault, Kenosha, WI; 4 grandchildren: Randi Crosby, Topeka, KS; Latosha Benton, Topeka, KS; Ryan Benton, Scranton KS; and Joshua Benton; 7 great-grandchildren: Shyann, Nikki, Erika, Xavion, Dezare', Diamond, and Isaiah; and one great-great-grandchild: Sophia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gloria was a devout Christian her entire life. She was such a beautiful person, with a huge heart, caring soul, and touched the lives of everyone she knew. She made us all aspire to be better. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandchild Mariko, who she now embraces.

While her immediate family has chosen to hold a personal gathering locally, a memorial celebration will be held for Gloria in Manton, Michigan in July of 2018. More details can be obtained through her children.
The Benton family would like to thank Aldersgate Village for the excellent care of Gloria for the past 16 months. The family also thanks others for their love and support of Gloria over the years.

~Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words, and missed beyond measure.~ - Anonymous