Lelia Ann Benton passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin at the age of 87. She was a loving wife, mother and friend.

Lelia was born on Oct. 14, 1931 in Jennings, Kan., to Frank and Anna (Fiala) Krizek. She attended school in Jennings and then transferred to Oberlin. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1950. Lelia worked at the Oberlin Telephone Office until the phones were upgraded to rotary dial.

On June 4, 1960, she was united in marriage to Jack Benton in Oberlin. One daughter, Brenda, was born to this union.

Lelia worked as a clerk at Addleman Drug Store for many years. She worked for three generations of Addlemans and was a dedicated employee.

She enjoyed quilting with her mother, Anna Barrett. She also liked to embroidery. In later years, she just enjoyed watching the birds at the bird feeder on her back deck and the butterflies that would fly by. She always cherished spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Jack Benton of Oberlin; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Kirk Ulery of Oberlin; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Corky Krizek of McCook, Neb., and brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Joyce Krizek of Pueblo, Colo.

Lelia was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Florence Graves; sister, Goldie Moore; sister, Alene Scott and brother, Francis Krizek.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at the Oberlin United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Oberlin Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 at Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur County EMS, United Methodist Church or Decatur Health Systems. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com