Mary Jane Bensenhaver

Mary Jane Bensenhaver, age 82 of Petersburg, WV formerly of Daleville, AL, passed away Tuesday morning, December 10, 2019 at the Grant Rehabilitation & Care Center in Petersburg, WV. Born on July 17, 1937 in Petersburg, WV she was a daughter of the late Bryan Franklin Mitchell, Sr. and Jane Brattain Mitchell. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Adam Gemmell and two brothers, Robert Mitchell and Bryan Mitchell.

She was a 1955 graduate of Petersburg High School and a graduate of the now Charleston University with a degree in Social Studies with a math minor. She taught schools all over Ohio and West Virginia. Not to be considered a mild manor teacher, Mary Jane would be considered a muscle car enthusiast. Over the years she owned a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible, a 1970 Pontiac GTO and a 2004 Pontiac GTO, all with a standard 4 on the floor transmissions and V-8 engines. She enjoyed sport fishing on the Chesapeake Bay with her family, made the greatest cookies and relaxed crocheting and knitting.

Surviving is her husband Donnie Lee Bensenhaver whom she married on September 24, 1965; two sons, James R. (Jacqueline) Gemmell of Pensacola, FL and Thomas (Sandra) Gemmell of Smithton, PA; grandchildren, Chris Gemmell, Heather Gemmell and Andrea Gemmell; a special neighbor kid that Donnie adopted/mentored, Walter (Michelle) Markivas of Fayetteville, NC and a sister, Betty Lu (Allen) Heimbold of Sun City, FL along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral Services will be conducted 2:00 PM Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street with Pastor Brad Taylor as officiant. Interment will follow at the Newhouse Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 PM Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in her honor may be directed to the Petersburg High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Lois Carr, 207 Viking Drive, Petersburg, WV 26847 or to the Charity of Donor’s Choice.