Alice Benton

(Hislop/Johns/Slater)

April 11, 1932- January 27, 2012

Born April 11, 1932, the youngest of 4 children, Alice was raised by her widowed mother, Edna Douglas, and educated in the ways of life through the 'school of hard knocks.' Although a student of 'average' scholastic ability, Alice excelled in several different sports and has the distinction of becoming the first woman to win a trophy for Muskegon High School, from which she graduated in 1950. Alice's boisterous support of all Michigan sports teams her entire adult life, most notably University of Michigan football and the Detroit Redwings hockey teams, earned her many friends and kept both family and friends alternatively entertained and dismayed as her 'no holds barred' enthusiasm was sometimes not well-received

by the opposing team. Over the years, her competitive spirit inspired team-mates to championships in bowling, bridge, and duplicate bridge, and she maintained a life-long love of card games of all kinds, an interest she passed along to her children, who could never quite match her passion and competitiveness. Alice took great pride in her service as a police officer with the City of Benton Harbor for 18 years, acting primarily as an administrative assistant until her retirement in the mid 1980's.

At the age of 54 she enrolled as a full-time student at Lake Michigan College, to the amazement of us all, and received her Associates degree in Applied Business. Upon graduation in 1988, she relocated in Dallas, Texas, near her daughter, where she acquired an administrative position with Foxmeyer Corporation and resided until 1995 when she returned to Muskegon, Michigan to marry Thomas J. Benton. Alice's zest for life, along with her 'never say can't' attitude, was inspirational to so many people whose lives she touched along life's journey; she was unceasingly generous with her time and her support, both financially and spiritually. Of all the blessings in Alice's life, her FAMILY was at the top of the list. One had only to step inside her home and see the pictures of all her children and grandchildren to know what she valued most in this world. She was always looking forward to the next reunion and talked incessantly about how important it is for family to be together often

and not to 'lose touch.' Throughout her life, Alice survived countless serious challenges to her health and EVERY time, she beat the odds and came through on the other side. So many times she had declared, "I'm a SURVIVOR!"

And so she was, until God called her to eternal rest on January 27, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Thomas J. Benton, and her brother N Marvin Hislop, both of Muskegon, Michigan, her 3 children and their spouses, Vicki and Scott Dial, of Richardson, Texas, Richard and Cyndi Johns of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and Mark and Shari Johns of Mattawan, Michigan, along with 11 grandchildren, Eric and Tina Hanke, Matthew Hanke, Hagan and Amy Dial, Tanar Dial, Ben and Courtney Snyder, Keenan and Raelene Kent, Kendall Kent, and 1 great-grandchild, Tate Dial. Alice entered this world suddenly and, we are sure, LOUDLY, on April 11, 1932...and on January 27, 2012, exited just as suddenly... To each of us whose lives she touched, this was unexpected and far too soon....... Those of us who knew her well would have associated her, without a doubt, with Frank Sinatra's song, "MY WAY," as she certainly lived her life 'HER WAY' to the very end.......

But we are comforted in knowing, from having spoken with her neighbors at the Cascades in Greenville, South Carolina.....

After a memorable evening with wonderful caring new friends.....Her prayers for a quick and painless exit from this earthly life were answered.......

MOM:GRANNY:GRANDMA AJ:ALICE:

We All Love You....We All Miss You....every day....