Carolyn "Cokie" Marlene Benanti

She was born on April 24, 1942 in Springfield, the daughter of the late John and Clara Ilene (Nation) Benanti.

She graduated from Pleasant Plains High School and Springfield College in Illinois with an A.A. Degree. She then received her B.A. Degree from Carthage College and she was in the first graduating class in 1972 at Sangamon State University (now UIS).

She went to Grace Lutheran Church in Springfield since 1947 and at one time she sang in the choir and was a member of Grace Circle. She was an Eastern Star and National Honor Society. She taught in Riverton and Pleasant Plains school districts and she retired from Logan Correctional Center as a teacher. She also worked at the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. Cokie loved playing the piano, working with her flowers, and doing word search.

She survived by her brother J. Curt (wife Valerie) Benanti; nephews Matthew Benanti and Nathaniel (wife Paula) Benanti; and niece Vanessa (husband David) Ervin; great-nephews Michael Benanti and Drake Ervin; great nieces Alaina Ervin and Denmark Foor; her special first cousins, Susan (husband Ray) Cane, Wayne (wife Sandy) Benanti, and Russell (wife Wendy) Nation and many cousins; and special couple Pat and Richard Long.

She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, Springfield. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 4 pm until time of the funeral service at 6 pm at Historic Grace Lutheran Church, 714 E. Capitol, Springfield. Pastor Thomas B. Christell, Jr. of Historic Grace Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will take place on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 10 am at Farmington Cemetery in Farmingdale, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church “Paying it Forward” Program.

Please visit the online obituary at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.