Maralee (Blacketer) Benedict

Maralee (Blacketer) Benedict, age 84 of West Lebanon, IN died at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital. Maralee was born on June 13, 1930 in Covington, IN. She was the daughter of Courtney and Edna Susan “Suzie” (Weber) Blacketer. She graduated from West Lebanon High School in 1948. On September 27, 1950 she married Eugene “Gene” Benedict in Attica, IN. He preceded her in death on June 1, 1998. Maralee resided in West Lebanon for many years until moving to Williamsport in October 2012. Maralee worked at Hicks Plaza in West Lebanon, as an aide at Warren Central, and at Citizens State Bank and BWI for 45 years as a teller and later a bookkeeper retiring from BWI. She attended Trinity Presbyterian in West Lebanon. She played softball and loved auctions and bowling. Maralee had a lust for life and was always smiling. She was usually found putting everyone else first around her. Surviving are, 2 children, Dale Gene Benedict (wife: Melinda) of West Lebanon, IN and Lea Ann Arnold (husband: Alen) of Williamsport, IN; 6 grandchildren, Scott Walker (wife: Melinda), Jason Walker, Keith Walker (wife: Jill), Jerry Walker (wife: Allison), Matthew Jones, and Jaycee Arnold; 6 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Maralee was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Charles and Courtney “Coonie” Blacketer and 5 sisters of which 2 were infants, and then Vivian McDaniel, Marie Dobbs, and Josephine” Jo” Galloway. Visitation will be at the Church of Living Water, 5655 W 500 S Rd., West Lebanon, IN on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be there on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Stuart Powell and Pastor Dave Wickens officiating. Interment will follow at West Lebanon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be to Salvation Army or Boys Town.