BLOOMINGTON, Ill.

Doris E. Benter, 72, of Gibson City, Illinois, died at 10:11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at her home in Bloomington, Illinois.

Born July 9, 1942, in Seymour, she was the daughter of Wilfred and Lydia Heideman Nichter. She married Ronald M. Benter on Dec. 26, 1964, in Seymour. He died Aug. 3, 2003.

Prior to having a family, she worked as a legal secretary for Edward Elsner in Seymour. She worked at the Gibson City Courier from 1983 until her retirement in 2013. She served as the editor since 1983. She volunteered on the Gibson City beautification committee, was very active in the Gibson City schools and community and was named Gibson City’s Citizen of the Year in 1990. Doris enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Survivors include two sons, Mark (Teresa) Benter of Clayton, and Jeff (Rhonda) Benter of Leroy, Illinois; a daughter, Lisa (Don) Benter Rich of Midland, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Alex and Owen Rich, all of Midland, Michigan, Chrystal (Carlos Almanza) Johnston of Bloomington, Illinois, Zachary Benter of Clayton, and Jack and Kyle Benter, both of LeRoy, Illinois; a brother, Kenneth (Doris Jean) Tormoehlen of Seymour; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Jane (Milt) Stuckwisch of Seymour, and Janet Barnett of Columbus; and five nephews.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Doris E. Sparks; two brothers-in-law, David Sparks and Wayne Barnett; and two nieces.

The funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gibson City with Father Jose Kadukunnel and Deacon Jeff Volker officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City with a rosary being recited at 4:45 p.m. just before visitation begins.

Memorials may be made to the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Education Foundation, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois.