BELLEFONTAINE - Bernadette E. Bensman, 96, of Bellefontaine passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Logan Acres Care Center, Bellefontaine.

She was born on January 2, 1920 in Glandorf, Ohio, the daughter of the late Edward and Lucille (Meyerhoffer) Roof.

On June 19, 1941, she married Herbert J. Bensman in Glandorf and he preceded her in death on February 26, 2001. She is also preceded in death by four daughters, Barbara A. Coons, Susan M. Gildow, Carol J. Bensman, and Darlene Arthur, two grandchildren, two sisters, Rosemary Crow and Mary Croy, one brother, Edwin "Butch" Roof, three sons-in-law, Larry E. Sickles, Gary E. Hesser, William L. Allen and a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Bensman.

She is survived by four daughters, Ruth A. Sickles of Belle Center, Jinny L. (Tom) Gimbel of Lake Havasu, AZ, Linda K. Allen and Donna A. Hesser, both of Belle Center, five sons, Ronald H. Bensman, Robert J. Bensman, both of Bellefontaine, Dennis A. (Debbie) Bensman of Lewistown, Gary L. Bensman and Herbert J. "Herbie" Bensman, both of Bellefontaine, 26 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Patricia Heverman of Glandorf, two sons-in-law, Gary Coons of Bellefontaine and Phil Arthur of Belle Center.

Bernadette worked as a homemaker and alongside her husband for many years as a farmer's wife. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bellefontaine and also belonged to the V.F.W. #1080 and American Legion #173, both in Bellefontaine. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

Father Shawn Landenwitch will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2016 in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bellefontaine. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 and also from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Belle Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent De Paul at either St. Patrick or St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Churches or to the .

EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, Bellefontaine assisted the family with arrangements and contributions may be made to the family at www.edsfh.com