Bernice E. Spielman

Bernice E. Spielman 97, passed away Wednesday December 27, 2023 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.

She was born February 23, 1926 in Osage City, Kansas, the daughter of William Loren and Nina Clarke Marshall. Bernice attended Osage City High School where she graduated with the Class of 1944.

Bernice attended Washburn University for two years. During college, Bernice worked summers at the Topeka Supply Depot and Forbes Air Force Base.

She was joined in marriage to Edwin H. Benton on May 19, 1946 in Osage City, Kansas. They began their lives together living in Montezuma, Kansas until moving to Miller in 1957. In January of 1959 Bernice and Edwin settled in Lebo, Kansas where she would remain for the majority of her life.

Bernice’s husband Edwin preceded her in death on January 22, 1962. She began working at Allegre Rexall in Lebo following Edwin’s death. Bernice would spend the next 34 years there before her eventual retirement.

She was joined in marriage to Ivan “Dale” Spielman on April 4, 1969 in Lebo. Bernice and Dale enjoyed 15 years together until his passing on July 1, 1984.

Bernice spent her adult life as an active member of the Lebo United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She also held membership in the Lebo American Legion Auxiliary. Bernice loved music and participated in the Choralaires vocal group for many years. Her many interests also included Gardening, Cross Stitch and Reading.

Bernice will live on in the hearts and memories of her daughters, Ardith Holmes of Topeka and Patricia Benton of Topeka; a son, Reverend Charles Benton and his wife Linda of Topeka; four grandchildren, Bree Rogers, Abby Lear, Jennifer Kuhlmann and Kevin Holmes; a sister; Nina Carlson of Waseca, Minnesota; six great-grandchildren; twenty one nieces and nephews; numerous extended family and a host of dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Edwin and Ivan; eight siblings, Phyllis Andre, Hildred Whittington, Florence Linton, Vivian Marshall and Vera Carucci and three brothers, Lauren Marshall, Robert Marshall and Bruce Marshall and a son-in-law, Gary Holmes.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 A.M., Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Lebo United Methodist Church. Burial is planned for 1:30 P.M., Saturday at Osage City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church and sent in care of the funeral home at P.O. Box #43 Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.