Virginia (Bennett) Gesford

Virginia Gesford, 98, of Peru, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Miller’s Merry Manor of Logansport, Indiana.

She was born on September 12, 1928 in Campbellsville, Kentucky to Robert and Margaret Lee (Ratcliff) Bennett. She married Bryant Dean Gesford and he preceded her in death on October 19, 2006. Virginia retired from Grissom Air Force Base in the Education Department as a testing specialist. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and family.

Virginia is survived by her children: Alvin “Howard” (Tina) Long of Peru, Warren Dale Long of Peru, Wanda Kay (Bob) Radel of Peru, Carmen Sue (Tony) Peterka of Dayton, Ohio, and “adopted son” Hassan Taki of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren: Andrew (Debbie) Radel of Peru, Missy (John) Conner of Peru, Erica (Travis) Hammond of Orlando, Florida, Bryan (Brooke) Long of Panama City Beach, Florida, Mandy (Ernest) Armstrong of Peru, Evan Long of Peru, Kelly Dale of Dayton, Ohio, 14 great-grandchildren, 8 great, great-grandchildren, a brother, Bobby Bennett, and sister, Ruth Bernice Trump of Crawfordsville, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryant Dean Gesford, her parents, her brother, Billy Bennett, her sister, Freida Loraine Cochran, and grandson-in-law Brian Owens.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 11:00am-1:00pm at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana. A funeral service will follow at 1:00pm with Pastor Bob Stuck officiating. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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