Lola Wessell

Lola Mae Wessell, 95, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Bethesda Southgate in St. Louis, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 21, 1918, in lllmo (Scott City), to Gustava Hanks and Arthur E. Benton.

Lola worked at Ely-Walker in Scott City more than 40 years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Missouri Extension Club. Lola and Walter enjoyed camping with friends and family, playing cards and fishing at Horseshoe Lake.

She was energetic and a hard worker with a great sense of humor. She loved her family, friends and her dogs.

Survivors include a daughter, LaVona Smith Robinson (Patrick); a son, Barry Nelson Smith (Sharon), whose father was the late John Nelson Smith; a stepdaughter, Donna Wessell Heuer (David); a stepson, Douglas Wessell (Susan); six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a surrogate grandchild, Natalie Metzger.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur D. Benton, Charles "Zeke" Benton and William Benton; a sister, Benita "Peggy" Slinkard; and beloved husband, Walter Wessell.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, with the Rev. Wayne Schwiesow officiating. Burial will be in Zion Church Cemetery.

The family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Zion Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.