Shirley Ann Bench, 89, of Springfield, MO left this earth and united with Jesus in Heaven at 9:58 AM on Friday, August 12, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield, MO on Tuesday, February 28, 1933 to John Palmer and Gertrude Long.

Shirley was joined in marriage to Louie Bench on March 8, 1952. They were blessed with three children: Lowell, Marcia and Pete. Throughout their marriage they enjoyed playing cards with family, fishing with friends and going to church where they both became born again Christians. She will be remembered for many things including delicious cinnamon rolls, Christmas candies, skills as a seamstress and a competitive nature but most of all for her care giving and love of all of her family. Shirley will be greatly missed, but we know we will see her again when the Lord calls us home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, in-laws Goldie and Fat Bench, nine loving siblings and seven of their spouses.

Shirley has left behind many that loved her including her son Lowell, his wife Denise and their two daughters Jenny (Greg) Powell and Carrie (Troy) Black; her daughter, Marcia and her three children Christina Doing, Jesse (Lacey) Hanes and Beth (Shane) Sandbothe; and son Pete Bench, his wife Laurene, his two children Ashley Vaughn and Bryan (Amber) Bench and step-daughter Lindsey Bocklage, as well as, thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her favorite little brother; Phillip Palmer, his wife Norma and many loving nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 10-11 AM on Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804 with funeral services to follow at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Seasons Hospice. Online condolences can be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com