Helen O. Benton

HELEN BENTONâa�"81 Polandâa�"Helen O. Benton, 81, of Sunrise Assisted Living formerly of Fifth Street in Struthers, died Wednesday morning at the Assisted Living. Mrs. Benton was born May 30, 1924 in Akron, a daughter of William C. and Olive Stull Platt. She was raised in Stow, Ohio and moved to Struthers in 1946. She was a 1942 graduate of Stow High School and received her BA and MA in Education from Kent State University. Mrs. Benton was a 12th grade English Instructor for Struthers High School, retiring in 1984 after 30 years of service. During her tenure at Struthers High School, Mrs. Benton taught all levels of English including Honors English, Independent Reading, Shakespeare and many more courses. She was Chairwoman of the English Department, Advisor of Student Printâa�a��s (the school newspaper), Y Teens, Senior Class Advisor, Future Teacher Advisor, and was the American Field Service Liaison for the Foreign Exchange Program. Mrs. Benton was active in the Struthers Education Association, and served on the evaluation committee for North Central representing Struthers City Schools. She was a life-time member of Ohio Education Association and North East Ohio Teacherâa�a��s Association. Mrs. Benton was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of Women Educators and was nominated Woman of the Year in Education. Amongst her accomplishments, Mrs. Benton had many articles published in the English Journal. She was very active in the Struthers Federal Credit Union serving on various committees, including Board of Directors for 20 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Kent State University Mothers Club. Mrs. Benton had been a member of the Struthers United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, served as Superintendent of Sunday School and was chairwoman of Vacation Bible School. Her husband, James Benton whom she married July 20, 1945, died November 8, 1980. Mrs. Benton is survived by one daughter, Patricia (Richard) Scott of Struthers; one son, Byron James (Janie) Benton of Clarksburg, Md; one sister, Elva Swartout of Akron; Six Grandchildren, Don, Lisa, Heather, Scott, Allison and Bryann; and four great-granddaughters. Besides her husband and parents she is preceded in death by a brother William Platt. Funeral Services will be Saturday, 10:00 AM at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers. Friends may call Friday, from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. The family request in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in Helenâa�a��s name to the Struthers High School Library, 111 Euclid St., Struthers, OH 44471 Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com

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