BENEFIEL, Sarah Jane (Dukes) - b. March 31, 1839 - d. March 24, 1923

[ddurbin]

from ELK COUNTY CITIZEN,  March 28, 1923
Sarah Jane Dukes was born in Pulaski county, Indiana, March 31, 1839, and died at Independence, Kansas, March 24, 1923, aged 83 years, 11 months and 24 days.

She was united in marriage to Levi Benefiel in 1854, who died in 1863.  To this union five children were born.

In 1866 she was married to Isaac Benefiel, who passed away in Howard, twelve years ago.  To this union four children were born.  She came to Elk county in 1869 and moved from here to Independence in 1914.

She is survived by four sons and five daughters:  Mrs. Mary Bright, of Independence; Mrs. Lucy Sherman of Howard; Mrs. Clara Korff, Pueblo, Colorado; Mrs. Margaret Dyer, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Nellie Karr, of Thayer, Missouri; O. O. Benefiel, of San Diego, California; L. C. Benefiel, of Carmon, Oklahoma; W. F. Benefiel, of Wilmington, California and E. R. Benefiel of Independence.

She is also survived by two sisters:  Mrs. Rachael Thomas and Mrs. Ann Megehan of Indiana.  She has now living eighty-four grand children, great grand children and great great grand children.

Mrs. Benefiel at an early age united with the Methodist church of which she has remained a consistent member until her death.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Howard, Sunday, March 25th, at 2 p. m., conducted by Miss Lucie M. White of the Christian church of Howard.