Mary A. Benfer

LEWISBURG - It is with very heavy hearts and a lot of tears that we announce that Mary A. (Hilkert) Miller Benfer, 101, passed away at Nottingham Village on July 19, 2023.

She was born in Lewisburg on September 22, 1921 and was the daughter of the late John Harvey and Sarah (Paige) Hilkert.

She was married to Carl E. Miller until his death on November 1955.  She then married Kenneth W. Benfer in 1967 until his death on September 10, 2002.

Mary was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church, Lewisburg.  She and owned and operated Mary’s Beauty Shop, Milton for over 50 years.

She was a member of the Look Good…Feel Better Program through the National Cosmetology Association and served as a volunteer facilitator at Evangelical Community Hospital’s Look Good…Feel Better Program through the North Central Regional Office of the American Cancer Society.  During election times, she served as a Republican volunteer for her 5th Ward at the voting polls for many years.

Mary’s greatest joys were spending time with her family, putting her puzzles together and crossword puzzles and of course her glass of red wine in the evenings.  She called that her vitamin and her secret to a long life.

She was full of life and never had a bad day.  She loved being outside and enjoying the beauty around her, especially the blue sky and the wonderful cloud formations.

She is survived by one daughter; Carla E. Miller of Lewisburg and her long-time companion; Michael E. Swanger of Lewisburg and Ontario, Canada, Tamera O’Donnell and grandson; Owen L. Hoffman and his father; David O. Hoffman of Lewisburg.

In addition to her parents, first and second husbands, Mary was preceded in death by one son; Lane R. Miller on June 15, 1991, three brothers; Lee, Ernest and George Hilkert, five sisters; Miriam Clouser, Gladys Schreck, June Weiner, Helen Dehart and Jean Johnson and her dear friend; Ruth Werly Swanger on July 11, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or to New Hope Lutheran Church.

A memorial service for Mary will be held on October 14, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at New Hope Lutheran Church, 205 S. 14th Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837 with Pastor David McCarty officiating.  Arrangements are being handled by Dale Ranck Cremation & Funeral Care, 125 N. Front Street, Milton.