Thelma Marie (Benson) Ducharme, Illinois died Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 8:25 p.m. at her home after an extended illness. She was born October 1, 1921 in Russell Township, Lawrence County, the daughter of William H. and Mary Jane (Davis) Benson.
She was the youngest of twelve children: five brothers - Ira, Henderson, Chester, Homer and Ralph Benson; six sisters - Ruby Fisher, Margaret Brian, Esther Tedford, Lorene Main, Baby Dorothy Lillian Benson, and Lucille Rahmeyer.
Marie graduated from Brick Grade School, Lawrence County, and Lawrenceville Township High School as a high honor student.
She married Dexter A. Ducharme, son of Med and Dorothy Ann (Hayes) Ducharme in the Methodist Church in Henderson, Kentucky August 21, 1940. To this union was born five children. She and her husband spent all of their married life (almost 48 years) in the communities around Flat Rock and Heathsville, Illinois.
She was a faithful member of the Grace United Methodist Church and served as teacher and assistant teacher of the Adult Sunday School Class for many years, was a member of the choir and prayer chain. Marie loved music and sang many solos at church. She was an avid reader, especially the Bible and Christian books. Marie loved poetry and published a book of poems, songs and stories.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dexter A. Ducharme on May 4, 1988, her daughter, Linda Kay Murray, a son, Ronald Lee Ducharme, a granddaughter, Manda Kay Ducharme, and a step great-granddaughter, Sara Beth Parker, five brothers and six sisters.
Surviving are two daughters and spouses, Barbara Ann and Robert Ash of Schererville, Indiana and Connie Sue and Roger Camden of Flat Rock, Illinois; her son and spouse, J.D.and Sue Ducharme of Flat Rock, Illinois.
Also surviving are five grandchildren - Kathie (Thomas) Riddle, Trisha (Douglas) Keele, Robert P. II (Michelle) Ash, David and John Camden.
Four great-grandchildren - Jordyn and Madison Keele and Brittany and Tyler Ash.
Three step-grandchildren - Kristy (J. D.) Christine, Samuel (Tricia) Parker, Steven (Tammy) Parker.
Seven step-great-grandchildren - Ashlei Williams, Marissa and Carolyn Christine, Ethan Morehead, Tyler and Trevor Parker, and Tommy Riddle; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 8th at 10:30 a.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Rev. Diane Bigley is in charge of services. Burial is in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, rural Palestine. Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 7th at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Youth Group, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or Good Samaritan Hospice with envelopes at the funeral home.
