Jo Ellen McCord Benken
March 10, 1936 –
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<p>An Uncommon Commoner 1936 - 2019<br />Born March 10, 1936, Jo Ellen was the fifth of eight children born to tenant farmers Beatrice McCrary McCord and Roy McCord in Knox County, Indiana. <br />Jo Ellen was blessed with the opportunity to become the only member of her family to aspire and achieve an advanced education. She received an associate’s degree from Vincennes University, and a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science Degrees in Special Education from Purdue University. As an indication of Jo Ellen’s commitment to education, her first teaching position occasionally required her to ride a mail train across the flooded Wabash River to a rural Illinois community to meet her students. Early in her teaching career she met her husband James Benken and was married on June 21, 1958. This began a wonderful 61 year journey that sadly ended on March 2, 2019. During this time they raised three children while she achieved several successful careers.<br />Jo Ellen is survived by her husband James and their three children, sons Anthony Jay Benken (wife Tiffany and grandchildren Ava Grace and Anna Sophia), Kirk Daniel Benken (wife Kendal and grandchildren Hannah, Carolyn, and Jacob) and daughter Kathryn Ellen Counts (husband Brandon and grandchildren Haley and Abigail). Jo Ellen is also survived by her younger sister Judy, brothers Jerry and Richard, and 14 nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents Beatrice and Roy, brothers Samuel and Daniel and sisters Donna and Betty.<br />Jo Ellen, aside from being a strong proponent for education, was an avid reader and an excellent duplicate bridge player. Jo Ellen enjoyed participating in numerous entrepreneurial activities such as antique collecting and jewelry design. With all these activities she always made time to volunteer in school, church and civic activities. But of all the titles she had earned in her lifetime, her most cherished was “mother.” <br />Such an uncommon life from a common beginning. Jo Ellen’s love of family, life and adventure has left a hole in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have loved her. Rest in Peace Jo Ellen, you will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider make a donation to the ALS Association in Jo Ellen’s name.<br />Services are scheduled to be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center on March 30 at 10 a.m. with interment on April 1 at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota.</p>
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<p>An Uncommon Commoner 1936 - 2019<br />Born March 10, 1936, Jo Ellen was the fifth of eight children born to tenant farmers Beatrice McCrary McCord and Roy McCord in Knox County, Indiana. <br />Jo Ellen was blessed with the opportunity to become the only member of her family to aspire and achieve an advanced education. She received an associate’s degree from Vincennes University, and a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science Degrees in Special Education from Purdue University. As an indication of Jo Ellen’s commitment to education, her first teaching position occasionally required her to ride a mail train across the flooded Wabash River to a rural Illinois community to meet her students. Early in her teaching career she met her husband James Benken and was married on June 21, 1958. This began a wonderful 61 year journey that sadly ended on March 2, 2019. During this time they raised three children while she achieved several successful careers.<br />Jo Ellen is survived by her husband James and their three children, sons Anthony Jay Benken (wife Tiffany and grandchildren Ava Grace and Anna Sophia), Kirk Daniel Benken (wife Kendal and grandchildren Hannah, Carolyn, and Jacob) and daughter Kathryn Ellen Counts (husband Brandon and grandchildren Haley and Abigail). Jo Ellen is also survived by her younger sister Judy, brothers Jerry and Richard, and 14 nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents Beatrice and Roy, brothers Samuel and Daniel and sisters Donna and Betty.<br />Jo Ellen, aside from being a strong proponent for education, was an avid reader and an excellent duplicate bridge player. Jo Ellen enjoyed participating in numerous entrepreneurial activities such as antique collecting and jewelry design. With all these activities she always made time to volunteer in school, church and civic activities. But of all the titles she had earned in her lifetime, her most cherished was “mother.” <br />Such an uncommon life from a common beginning. Jo Ellen’s love of family, life and adventure has left a hole in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have loved her. Rest in Peace Jo Ellen, you will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider make a donation to the ALS Association in Jo Ellen’s name.<br />Services are scheduled to be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center on March 30 at 10 a.m. with interment on April 1 at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota.</p>
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