URBANA  Frances E. (Wachal) Benson, age 100 of Urbana died Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Vinton following an extended illness.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the Urbana Christian Church with Rev. Tom Felts officiating.  Interment will be in Urbana Cemetery.  Friends may call from 4 - 7 PM on Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton.  Memorials may be directed to Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. 
Frances was born March 3, 1908 to Frank and Marie (Dvorak) Wachal in Walker.  She was united in marriage to Leland Cecil Clair Benson on October 2, 1926 in Cedar Rapids; he preceded her in death in July of 1957.  Frances worked in food service at Collins Radio in the cafeteria for many years and also owned and operated the café in Urbana for a short time.  She was a member of the Urbana Christian Church and the Helping Hand Club.  In her leisure Frances enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing and making homemade noodles.  She was also very proud of her Czech heritage.
Frances is survived by her son, Lloyd (Marylen) Benson of Urbana; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 23 great great grandchildren; 9 step great grandchildren and her son-in-law, Clarence Kisling also of Urbana. 
In addition to her husband and parents, Frances was preceded in death by two daughters, Norma Kisling and Shirley LeVelle; two grandsons, Dan Benson and Larry LeVelle; one great grandchild; one brother, Joseph Wachal and two sisters, Marian Heins and Irene Washburn.