Eugene Benedict Jr. Family  

Eugene George Benedict Jr. was born in East Chicago .

Gene was the son of Eugene G. and Opal Mikesell Benedict (See Benedict-Mikeselll). Gene was the eldest son of this union and had one brother two years younger John Allen Benedict.

In 1946 his parents moved to a 45-acre farm in Union Township, east of Lake Maxinkuckee. Gene and his brother attended Culver Public Schools. He participated on the basketball, track and baseball teams. He graduated in 1960. Money for college had been earned working on the family farm with his brother. He attended MacMurry College from 1960-1962. It was at MacMurry College he met his future wife, Barbara Jean Moser. In 1962 he transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington and obtained a degree in Optometry in 1966.

Barbara Jean Moser was born in West Allis, Wisconsin. She was the second daughter of Herbert H. and Mildred McNary Moser. She had two sister: Mildred Daikawa and Susan Snider, an one brother, Herbert Edward.
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Barbara attended Washington High, Milwaukee, graduating in 1958. She went on to college at MacMurry, Jacksonville, Illinois, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1980 she attended Indiana University, South Bend obtaining her Masters degree in Education.

Gene and Barbara were married in <-- 1963 on --> Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have three children all born in Pawating Hospital, Niles, Michigan. The first two were identical twin girls: Susan Jean and Sarah Ann . A son Eugene George II.

In 1970 Gene and Barbara bought a cottage on Lake Maxinkuckee from Gene's parents and they still own the cottage. The family lived in Buchanan, Michigan in the winter, having the summer residence in Culver .

The marriage between Gene and Barbara dissolved and Barbara and the children moved to Plymouth in 1976. At this time Gene is living and practicing optometry in Buchanan, Michigan.

Barbara married Peter I. Rockaway, a successful lawyer in Plymouth. (See Rockaway). She and the children reside now in Plymouth. Barbara is currently teaching at Lincoln Junior High, Plymouth.

Susan Jean Benedict, the eldest child named after her mothers sister, at this time is a senior at Plymouth High School. Upon graduation from High School , she will further her education at a college undecided at this time. Susan was very active in high school. She was a successful member of the speech team, a Hoosier girls state representative, secretary of Spanish Club, a member of Future teachers, Mu Alpha Thera and speech club. She also participated in the musical "The Music Man" and wrote for the school paper.

Sana Ann Benedict, the second child, by five minutes, is also a Plymouth High School senior. Upon graduation in June 1986 she will also attend a college undecided at this time. She was a cheerleader, a member of Future teachers, Mu Alpha Thera, Spanish Club and American Field Service. She participated in the musical "Grease" and as a member of the Swing Choir and the Crimson Connection.

Eugene George Benedict II, the third child, was named for his father and grandfather. He is a freshman at Plymouth High School. He plans to attend college after his graduation in 1989. Gene is very active in sports. He wrestles, plays on the football team, and is on the track team.

All three of the children have been exposed to many broadening experiences. They have been to the Bahamas, fishing and camping in the Canadian wilderness, and sailed from Lake Michigan to New York state with their father. They have been to Hawaii with their mother to visit their aunt and cousins living there. Susan has been rafting down the Colorado River with her father and also experienced seeing the birth of the only panda bear born in Washington D. C. Zoo. Gene and Sarah have gone camping with their father in the National forests of Kentucky and Tennessee.

The three children also gained a broad knowledge of sailing from their father who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with five other sailors. Since it was a major part of their lives on Lake Maxinkuckee the family has received many awards for their sailing accomplishments.

The family now lives in Plymouth on Nutmeg Road in a house they designed themselves, along with two cats, Melvin and Marely, and two dogs, Guido and Food Finder, a seven year old Gordon setter trained by Susan, was judged the 1982 4_h fair Grand Champion in Obedience. She is the faithf ul pet of Susan and the family - Susan Jane Benedict

History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 -, Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422, Marshall County Historical Society pg. 82