Services for Dorothy Celia Behnke, who in her 91st year passed away in Melbourne, Florida, will be Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse. Mrs. Behnke was born to the late Hugh and Nita Lucas on October 10, 1918, and was also predeceased by her husband, John, and her daughter, Jackalyn Dolasinski. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Vincent Deibler; a son-in-law, Ervin Dolasinski, and a grandson, Jon Thompson all of Melbourne, FL. Also surviving are a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Marilyn Behnke of Clay; a sister-in-law, Margaret Lucas of Pennellville; and many nieces and nephews. Living through the hardships of the Great Depression forged the character that allowed her to confront the challenges she would face during her life. She felt that being a mother and a homemaker was her most important job, but during WWII she learned to weld, became an instructor and thereby helped the war effort. Mr. and Mrs. Behnke were longtime residents of Grove Street, North Syracuse. She was a life member and former president of the North Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was proud of her sons-in-law, Leroy Thompson and Ervin Dolasinski, who served as chief of the fire department. Mrs. Behnke was a member of the Clay and Cicero senior centers. She enjoyed outings, meeting new people, playing bingo and trips to the casinos, things she continued to enjoy after moving to Florida to live with her daughter. Services will be held Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at noon at Fergerson Funeral Home, with burial following in White Chapel Memory Gardens, DeWitt. The family will greet friends prior to service, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the funeral home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse. Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the North Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department, 109 Church Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212 or to a charity of one's choice.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on May 23, 2010