Cynthia Benward

Cynthia "Cindy" Benward, 75, of Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital with her loving daughter at her side. She was born June 14, 1945 (Flag Day) in Wichita, Kansas, daughter of the late John and Gladys (Tollefson) Kimes. Cindy was a 1963 graduate of Joplin High School and attended Joplin Jr. College. In 1974, she joined the Missouri National Guard and earned the rank of Sergeant Major Benward before retiring in 2005. During her 31 years of dedicated service, she earned several awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Command Master Sergeant Excellence Award and numerous more. Cindy was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2693, Elks Lodge 513, American Legion Post 5 and volunteered at Dreams to Reality. She was dedicated to emailing and writing to troops deployed overseas to keep them filled in on news from home. After retirement, she established Redesigns by Cindy and loved interior decorating. She was blessed to join the Catholic faith in 2018. She loved spending time with family and friends, attending shop barbecues and retirement celebrations with fellow soldiers, listening to music like the Eagles, and shopping at TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Ross with her daughter and granddaughters. A special thank you to Dr. Waqar, Dr. Robinson, Monica Freund and staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for their extraordinary care that enabled her to battle lung cancer for seven years. She is survived by her children: Jeff Benward (Beth) and Renee Bungart (Mike); sister: Marcia Kimes; grandchildren: Justin Benward (Bethany), Ashlea Benward, John Benward, Jordan Benward, Lyndi Derheim (Matthew), Olivia Gilpin (Colby), Kaitlyn Connell (Gregory), and Madilyn Doerhoff (Donovan); great-grandchildren: Tori, Kennedy, Cash, Jaceion, Violet, Keithen, Elizabeth, Addison, Everly and Hattie; and her beloved fur baby: Chloe. Cindy was preceded in death by her sister: Camille Cain. Visitation with family and friends will be held 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors. Fr. Ignazio C. Medina will begin a prayer service at 5 p.m. Graveside Services for family and friends will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2020 at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.