Marion – Virginia Mae (Thomas) Benchley, long time resident of Marion and Rose Lake area, passed away with family by her side, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Woodland Acres in Gaylord. She was 94.

Virginia was the 10th of 13 children born to Richmond and Grace Thomas. She attended the SDA church school in Edenville, Michigan & High School at Cedar Lake Academy & graduated from Beaverton High School, class of 1950. A week after graduating she married Elmer Roland Benchley May 31, 1950, spending 72 years together before Elmer passed away October 21, 2022. They worked together raising beef cattle for 40 years. And their favorite fun times were spent with visiting their siblings, and their wonderful friends and neighbors in Marion and Rose Lake. Virginia was a gentle loving mother to Larry, Connie, Joanne & Garry. She was a devoted grandmother to Chad, Jacob, Grace Banks & Ryan Lucas, Kristina & Joel Jordan and several great-grandchildren. After retirement Virginia and Elmer lived in New Port Richey, Fl during winter months and Rose Lake in the summer. Neighbors and friends were always welcome to drop in and she would eagerly put on a pot of coffee with fresh cookies and ice cream cones for everyone. She loved walking unassisted (without a cane or walker), right of up to the last week of her life. Elmer & Virginia were members of Cadillac 13th Street SDA Church, where music was always a highlight for them.

Virginia was preceded in death by her precious 3 year old son, Larry; 11 siblings and she has one surviving sister.

A private interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Marion. Celebration of Life will be held at Cadillac 13th Street SDA Church on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 12 noon. Arrangements are being made with Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home of McBain. Thoughts and prayers may be left at burkholderfunerals.com