Susan Kay Benzinger, 78, of rural Columbia City, died at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

Born on March 11, 1944, in Allen County, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Frank J. and Dorothy V. (Wehrly) Haber. She completed her elementary education in Fort Wayne and started high school at Elmhurst, then moved to Churubusco High School, where she graduated in 1962. She continued her education at Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne, where she earned a degree in business.

On December 19, 1990, she married Larry W. Benzinger. The couple have always made their home in rural Columbia City.

She enjoyed genealogy and family ancestry and wrote a book about the Haber family.  Spending time at the beach with her metal detector was a favorite activity. Family was always a priority, and when the grandkids and great-grandkids arrived, they became her focus and joy.

Surviving is her loving husband of 32 years, Larry; a daughter, Denna Shoup of Columbia City; a son Joseph (Sarah) Shoup III of Churubusco; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Janice Hartman and Margaret Williams, both of Merit Island, FL, Mary Trczinski of Lowell, MA; and a brother, William (Cindy) Haber of Churubusco.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Haber.

Susan donated her body to medical science.

Memorials in her honor are to the Whitley County Humane Society, IU Medical Center, or the Cancer Institute.