Dareda Marguerite (Bechtol) Benton, 101, was called home on the morning of February 6, 2020 at the home of her granddaughter.
Dareda was born to Harry and Hazel (Miller) Bechtol on August 29, 1918 in Battle Creek Michigan.
In 1946 Dareda married Donald Martin Benton of England, and in 1947 their daughter Hazel-Marie Joy was born.
Coming of age during the Depression brought many struggles but it was with fond memories that Dareda related stories of her first job working in onion fields with her brother as a young teen and then at a local bakery. It was with great pride that Dareda went to work for the War Department during WWII, serving first as a seamstress at the Percy Jones Army Hospital before being transferred to a clerical position in the supply department. . After the war, she went to work in the blueprint office of the Oliver Corporation Aviation Division in Battle Creek.
It was when Pennfield Schools built their original Pennfield Central School in 1953 that Dareda found her calling. She first worked as the Secretary to the Administration and then
The Principal's office until 1964 returning to Pennfield Schools in 1965 as a Secretary
in the guidance office where she retired after 30 years of service to the district, and continued to fill in for many more years. She had a heart for the students and the role she performed, and formed the best friendships of her life with the teachers and staff she worked with.
Dareda was a member of the Convis Union United Methodist Church where she taught 3rd grade Sunday School for 30 years and was a member of the UMW. She later attended the East Leroy Community Church for many years.
Dareda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald, and daughter Hazel as well as her brother Harry (Alfreda) Bechtol and great grandson Nathan Doviak.
She is survived by brothers Leroy, Frank (Toni), and John (Kay) Bechtol; son-in-law Ronald (Hazel-Marie) Buckmaster; grandchildren Bethany (Jon) Doviak and Benjamin (Misty) Buckmaster; and great-grandchildren Corie, Robert, James, Meg, Benji, and Beck along with many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, February 15th, 11:00am at Baxter Funeral and Cremation with interment following at North Athens Baptist Cemetery, M Dr. South, Athens MI. Calling hours for visitation and remembrances will be held Thursday, February 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. To honor Dareda’s love of Pennfield Schools, memorial contributions can be made to the Pennfield Schools Education Foundation