Helen Jean Benacker

Helen Jean Benacker, 96, formerly of South Haven, passed away quietly on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the Helia Healthcare Center in Champaign, Illinois.  She was born on December 18, 1919 in Spring Lake, Michigan to Deloy L. and Bernice (Dougherty) Hagerman.  She spent her childhood and early adulthood in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Her father was employed by the Farm Extension Services of Michigan State University, and her mother was an elementary school teacher and principal. Sadly, Helen's father passed away when she was only four years-old. She was raised by her mother and maternal grandmother.

Helen attended Grand Rapids public schools, graduating high school in 1938.  In 1940, she completed an Associates of Arts degree at Grand Rapids Junior College, and in 1942 she received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Grand Rapids.  Between 1942 and 1944, Helen lived with relatives in Pontiac, Michigan while working for the Pontiac State Hospital as a psychiatric social worker.  Profoundly affected by the advent of WWII, Helen decided to enlist in service and joined the United States Navy in 1944 as a part of the Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Services or WAVES.  She received training at the USNTS in the Bronx, New York and was stationed at the USNAS in Norman, Oklahoma where she was placed in charge of a women’s barracks.  She received an honorable discharge in 1946 with the rank of Specialist Third Class.

Following her time in the military, Helen returned to Michigan where she began working as an adoptions specialist for the Michigan Children's Aid Society in St. Joseph.  She met Martin Benacker on a “blind” date, and they married on June 28, 1947.  Their daughter, Jean, was born in 1951. Helen and Martin went on to share 59 wonderful years of marriage until Martin's death in 2006.  Their granddaughter, Leslie, was born in 1986.  Helen thoroughly enjoyed being a grandmother and was thrilled that her long life provided her with the opportunity to be present at both Leslie's high school and college graduations.

Helen was an active member of her community.  She was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Women's Fellowship, a longtime member of the Yacht Club and the Scott Club, and she was especially proud of her lengthy tenure with the South Haven Hospital Auxiliary. Helen dearly loved her time with family and friends, and nothing made her happier than being with them.

Helen is survived by her daughter Dr. Jean Benacker of Champaign, Illinois; her granddaughter Leslie (Jonathan) Blockman of Bloomington, Illinois; nieces Patricia (Dr. David) Eisler of Big Rapids, Michigan, and Cecile (Gary) Seeley of Cottonwood, California; nephew Anthony (Jan) Magri of Aberdeen, Washington; great-nieces Dr. Heather (Nathaniel) Eisler-Campbell and Dr. Lindsay Eisler; and great great-nephew, David Eisler-Campbell.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven.  Memorial services will follow the visitation at 2:30pm, with Pastor Virginia Heller officiating. Helen will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven.  Military Honors will be presented by the American Legion Post #49.  Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of South Haven, or to the National Council for Adoption,  Alexandria, Virginia (www.adoptioncouncil.org).