Anna B Benulis Obituary
Anna "Anna Bell" Benulis, 104, formerly of New Philadelphia, but most recently a resident of Luther Ridge Assisted Living, Pottsville, peacefully passed away Dec. 10, surrounded by her family.
Anna was born March 20, 1918, in New Philadelphia, to Alex and Anna (Hunusich) Belecanech.
She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, New Philadelphia, and the Greek Catholic Union. She attended Blythe Township High School and after graduation worked as a nurse's aide at Pottsville Hospital. She moved on to working in the local garment industry as a seamstress.
In 1945, she married John Benulis and joined him in service of our country. Anna worked in the PX at Fort Riley, Kansas, where her husband was stationed, in charge of the bakery for the camp. After their service, they returned to New Philadelphia to open and work in a family-run bakery. In the mid '50s, the bakery outlet store was converted into a corner grocery, which they operated until 1981. In her retirement, she loved to bake and cook for her family and her neighborhood friends in New Philadelphia.
Anna will be forever remembered by her family as an intelligent, strong, loving, caring and amazing matriarch, who went the distance and beyond.
Anna was predeceased by her parents, Alex and Anna; her husband, John; infant brother, Alex; brothers, Andrew, George, Joseph and John; as well as son-in-law, Dr. Robert Klint.
Anna is survived by brother, Michael, Apex, North Carolina; daughter, Rita, Orwigsburg/Savannah, Georgia; sons, David, Orwigsburg, and Joseph and wife, Maryellen, Orwigsburg; grandchildren, Christian and wife, Lindsay, Birdsboro, and Nicholas, Lebanon; as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family of Anna would like to thank the caring staff of Luther Ridge and Advantage Hospice for the care, love and comfort they provided to Anna during her time at Luther Ridge.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, New Philadelphia, with the Rev. Monsignor William F. Glosser as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Anna Benulis be made to Luther Ridge Overlook Activity Fund, 160 Red Horse Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. Thomas J. Bartashus Funeral Home, New Philadelphia, is in charge of arrangements.
