Joanne Marilyn Benninghoff Bechtold

Joanne Marilyn Benninghoff Bechtold, Devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother On the evening of May 7th, 2016, Joanne passed away peacefully at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL, comforted by her family. She was 87 years old. Joanne was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, July 5th, 1928, as the only child to Alma and William Benninghoff. She moved to Sarasota with her growing family in 1958, after graduating from Wheaton College in 1953. It was here that she raised her family, built a prodigious career, and gave back to her community by supporting countless local non-profit organizations. Later in life, Joanne retired as Vice President of Bank of America Trust Company and continued to work unwaveringly with local causes she passionately supported. Most notably, she was honored to be closely involved with Junior League, the American Heart Association, and the Red Cross, where she was elected to be First Vice Chairman. Joanne also co-founded and worked tirelessly with All Children's Hospital Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch. As an active member of the Church of the Redeemer, Joanne always found great strength in her faith. Her accomplishments in life were only ever overshadowed by her modesty in her own work and pride in the work of those around her. She was fiercely independent, well-spoken, and gracious through her years. She cherished her family and friends dearly and maintained relationships that spanned for decades - many from her own childhood in Cleveland and from her time raising a family in Sarasota. Joanne was preceded in death by her son William Bechtold, Sr. (Bill), her daughter-in-law Cynthia Bechtold, and grandson, William Bechtold, Jr. (Little Billy). She is survived by her children Howard Bechtold of Miami, Karen Trudeau of St. Petersburg, and Sharon Bechtold Smith of Jacksonville; and grandchildren Kevin Bechtold, Katie Torgerson, Alicia Thornton, Jessica Thornton, Crystle Bechtold Parrish, and Jenni Ross. She was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren - Ender, William, Anastasia, and Riley. The viewing will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th at the Toale Brothers Colonial Chapel, 40 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 13th, at the Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, followed by the burial at Sarasota Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne's memory to All Children's Hospital Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch 5881 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.

Tributes

Joanne Marilyn Benninghoff Bechtold

July 5, 1928 - May 7, 2016