Mary Elizabeth Benningfield, 73, passed away on March 29, 2026. She was born on January 10, 1953 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Graham and Florence Konkel. Mary spent most of her life living in California, growing up in Los Angeles and eventually settling in Ventura County where she raised her children until she moved to Indiana in 2022. She also spent a short time living in Mexico where she fell in love with the Spanish language and culture.

Mary attended Cal State University Dominguez Hills where she earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish. She used her degree to become a teacher, first teaching English as a second language at the Simi Valley Adult school and then as a 3rd grade teacher at Hubbard Street Elementary School in Sylmar, CA, where she taught for 30 years.

She spent most of her free time with her friends and family. She loved to be social and go to parties, have lunch with friends, and go to the theater. She used to stay at the theater all day, going from movie to movie until she saw 3 or 4. She called it 'doing a Mary-thon'. She was also an avid reader; she lived for a good Jack Reacher or vampire book and yes, she was team Edward. She had a strong faith in God; she loved attending church and singing worship songs.

Mary was always laughing and cracking jokes, she had a fun and quirky personality. She was beloved by everyone who knew her. She was always positive and optimistic even in hard times. She was an amazing mother, her children were her world, and she loved them more than anything.

Mary was one of the most special women and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter Launa Bockman (Brandon), son Ty Benningfield, stepdaughter Laurie Kinney, grandchildren Judah, Lilly, and Hannah; and many close, dear friends who she considered family.

She is preceded in death by both of her parents and brothers Richard Konkel and Tom Konkel.

Cremation has been entrusted to DeBaun Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.