Evelyn M. Benell

Evelyn May Benell, 95, of Moline, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, March 26, 2012, at Trinity Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois

A final farewell memorial is planned for June 2, 2012, at a location to be announced at a later date. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Telephone Pioneers.

She was born Sept. 22, 1916, to William Johnson and Edith Swanson-Johnson in Carbon Cliff, Illinois, and lived her entire life in Moline.

She attended Moline High School. She met Richard A. Benell and they were married in December, 1939. Evelyn was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Co as a Switchboard Operator for 37 yrs. She was a member of Tops, Farm Extension, Busy Bees and Telephone Pioneers.

“Grandma Evie” was loved by all she knew. She loved children and children were drawn to her kindness and laughter. In the 1970’s, Grandma Evie had a cabin at Lake Warren where family and friends often gathered.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Benell Ely of San Diego, California, and grandchildren Betsy Power of Ft. Worth, Texas, Deanna Carmack of East Moline, Illinois, Billy Beckett of Longmont, Colorado, and Bryan Benell of Melbourne, Florida, and great-grandchildren, Landon and Mason Benell, Carson, Cameron, Christine and Christopher Power, Jade and Luke Beckett and Meaghan and Zander Carmack. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Benell; her son, William Benell; her brother, Howard Johnson; and her sister, Harriet Carlson.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.