Susan Benincasa
Susan R. (Rudicel) Benincasa, 79, passed away on October 28, 2026 near family in Cleveland, Ohio.
Susan grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, the daughter of Max and Julia Rudicel. She was a graduate of Kokomo High School. She attended Wittenberg University where she met Don Benincasa. They were married and enjoyed building a life together in Springfield, Ohio, then Louisville, Kentucky, before relocating permanently to the Zanesville area.
Susan was a teacher at the Muskingum Area JVS where she enjoyed working with students who had a great impact on her. She then worked in purchasing at Benco Pet Foods for over 20 years, building long-term relationships with her co-workers and suppliers.
In her retirement, Susan enjoyed time with family and friends. With her husband, John Watson, Susan spent many vacations sailing with friends, playing golf, competing in her bowling league (although they seemed to enjoy dressing up more than bowling), hosting family and friends, cheering on their grandchildren and making holidays special. Susan and John enjoyed their time in Fort Myers, Florida and their many friends in the Zanesville and Lancaster areas. Susan was a member of the Zanesville Country Club, the Author’s Club, and St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Susan was a faithful friend, a dedicated mother and all around good soul. Always quick with a joke and laughter and ready to enjoy any social gathering.
Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Max and Julia Rudicel, her husband Don Benincasa and her husband John Watson. She is survived by her children: Linda (Matt) Peacore, Pasadena, California; Don (Nancy) Benincasa, Shaker Heights, Ohio; Diane (Karl) Ziegler, Chicago, Illinois; and Dominic (Emily) Benincasa, Bozeman, Montana; her grandchildren: Grace Peacore-Brink (Brennan), Caroline Peacore; DC, Max, Susie and Andy Benincasa; Alex and Juliet Ziegler; and her sister Jane Rudicel (Paul Drake).
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Hillis Combs Funeral Home, 935 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Fr. Donald Abii officiating. A Celebration of Life Reception will immediately follow at the Zanesville County Club. All family and friends are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to Wittenberg University c/o The Wittenberg Fund, Wittenberg University, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Post Office Box 720, Springfield, OH 45501-0720, or St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 144 North Fifth Street, Zanesville, Ohio, 43701, in Susan’s memory. To sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note of condolence please visit www.hilliscombsfh.com.
