Mary M. Bennehoff

Mary Martha Bennehoff passed away on November 30, 2025. Born on Good Friday, March 26, 1937, in McConnell, Illinois, she was the daughter of Ralph Sr. & Ruth (Scheider) Bennehoff.

She dearly loved her brothers, the late Robert Bennehoff and Ralph Bennehoff Jr., who survived her as well as her sister-in-law, Linda Bennehoff. Four nephews, Scott (Susan) Bennehoff, Mark (Jennifer) Bennehoff, Brad Bennehoff, and Brian (Kim) Bennehoff, two great nephews, Brandon Bennehoff and Zachary Bennehoff, Logan and Connor Wessman, two great nieces, Jessica (Josh) Green and Hannah Bennehoff, Cora Wessman, and great, great nephew, Karsen, also survive and were dearly loved as well by Aunt Mary. Her parents, her brother, Robert, and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Bennehoff, preceded her in death.

Mary was a 1955 graduate of Winslow High School and graduated from St. Johns River State College, magna cum laude. In 2000, she retired from First Federal Bank of North Florida as Vice President of Retail Banking. During her banking career, she was a member of Azalea Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, Financial Women International, Pilot Club of Palatka, Putnam Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County American Cancer Society Board of Directors, ad Putnam United Way Campaign. She also served as President of the Azalea Chapter of American Business Women and Pilot Club of Palatka. In 1990, she was named American Business Women’s Association Chapter Woman of the Year in 2001. During her retirement years, she became a member of the William Bartram Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Mary’s great, great, great, great grandfather, Philip Jacob Bennehoff, born July 30, 1770, in North Hampton County, PA, served during the Revolutionary War 6th Batt. Northampton Co. PA Militia in the capacity of Lt. and Drum Major. It was this service which created the lineage that enabled Mary to become a member of DAR.

Mary was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka. An avid antique collector for much of her life, she especially treasured furniture inherited from her grandparents and parents. She also enjoyed traveling, music, reading, sudoku puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, walking, and her beloved pets.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10:00 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3301 Corbridge Ln, Rockford, IL 61107. Inurnment will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Columbarium, Rockford, IL. Memorials may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725.

Arrangements handled by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory.