Wilma Annabelle Bethurem

Wilma A. (Bench) Bethurem, known to her grandkids as Maw Maw, age 99 of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on December 14 th, 2025. Wilma was born to Robert Winford Bench and Rosa Jewell (Rice) Bench on June 14, 1926, in a home directly across the road from, where her and her husband of nearly 65 years, raised their family. She spent most of her young life in the Kinser area, just outside of Springfield where she walked daily to the Kinser School. Wilma attended Kinser Chapel Church that her father helped to build and was a loyal member of until her final departure. Wilma is proceeded in death by both of her parents, her husband Floyd and daughter Charlotte Pebbles, her two sisters, Betty Garrison and Loetta Bradley. She is survived by her children, Dwight and wife Janice, Leta Massengale, Keith and wife Patty, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 10 great, great grandchildren with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Wilma will always be known for her county cooking, where everyone knew there was plenty of fried chicken on most Sunday's directly following church service. She never turned anyone away for a hot meal and their home was the gathering place for the holidays. Wilma enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren. One of her last wishes was to hold her latest great granddaughter which she was able to do just days before her passing. It is hard to summarize Wilma's full life in a few short paragraphs, but we can tell you this, Wilma was a devoted Christian and took her relationship with her Lord and Savior above all else. Wilma will be missed by so many, as we will get to see her again in the Lord's Heavenly Home.

Services for Wilma will be at 11:00 am Friday, December 19, 2025 at Kinser Chapel. Interment will follow at Dodson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.