NOTE: I do not have the pictures that were originally published at Christianbeliever.com so when I allude to them below, please understand.

Patty passed away on March 8th, 1996.   Her spirit and soul lives on in me, in her children, and in everyone she met or influenced in her life.

The first picture of Patty and I is at the Atlanta International Airport.  Whenever I was flying across the "Pond", she'd get off work and meet me there.  This picture was taken in 1983 prior to a flight to Germany.  It was the only time we got to see each other every couple of years.  The photo on the right was taken in 1995 at my townhouse in Panama City.  For the first time in many years, we resided within 6 hours of each other.  This was the first time as adults we had ever visited each other for more than 3 days in a row.   The 3rd and 4th pictures (below) are of Patty and her husband, Larry Benschotter.

Dealing with her "Suicide" 

As stated prior, this site is dedicated to my sister, Patricia Brockie Benschotter (pronounced "Benz scooter", who tragically passed away March 8th, 1996, at age 36 in Smyrna Georgia. Her death was ruled a suicide which is still highly questionable. They performed a toxicology exam of her brain and decided that she was not under the influence of any illicit drugs or alcohol. She died of loneliness.

One thing that did not make sense is that Patty was perfectly made up, her hair done, and she was dressed nicely. She had contacted her children and told them to have their grandmother bring them by at 3:30 in order that they all could go to McDonald’s. She made this call around noon. By the time her kids arrived and she ignored the honking, her little boy, Jacob ran in to check on mommy. He came running out to the car and told his grandmother that "mommy is laying in the bed and she has a gun on her chest". Fortunately, that is all that little Jake saw. Betty Hershberger, the grandmother alerted Patty's daughter, Morgan to call 911 and she went inside to see what was happening. She was a little cautious, as she had no idea what would be waiting. Well, upon entering the room, she quickly realized what had happened and that's all I care to say about that.

Patty would not have set her kids up like that.  Patty loved her kids and would not have wanted to hurt them that way.

I was just getting off duty at Tyndall AFB in Panama City Florida when my mom called and told me to sit down.  I instinctively asked if this was about Patty, I had assumed maybe a car accident, I did not assume the rest and it was a hard pill to swallow.

I called my boss, requested emergency leave and headed south to Tampa to pick up my mom.  I bawled like a baby all the way to Perry, Florida, my halfway point.  Once I got to Tampa, I didn't know what to say to my mom.

We got in the car and literally flew to Atlanta  (Smyrna) at about 90 miles an hour.  Not one word was exchanged about the excessive speed and I didn't think a state boy would have any problems when they found out what had happened.

Upon arriving to Smyrna Georgia, the following afternoon, my mom and I asked her "distraught" husband where he planned to stay and he replied "I slept in the very same bed last night, best sleep I had in years". Can you believe that?

Since that time, I haven't heard from him, but do know that he fathered a child with his new wife within 6 months. His name is Larry Benschotter and he is originally from Ohio in case any of you all know him.

Patty had been suffering from manic-depressive disorder (now referred to as bipolar disorder) for about a year and he knew it. Why in Hades would he purchase a .38 caliber handgun and carelessly leave it unattended?

That’s all I have to say about that too. My recovery depends on my reactions since that tragic day in 1996.

I have forgiven Larry at this point only because my faith says I should. I hope Larry can forgive himself some day.

This response was received March 7th, 2002 from Morgan Hershberger, Patty's 19-year-old daughter, and her feelings regarding this matter.

Last time I heard Larry was living in Cherokee County (about 20 minutes from here, I know exactly where) I have seen him lately, and I think God is punishing him for what he has done.  He lives in a dirty trailer, w/ roaches, he cannot drive b/c he got too many DUIs.  The woman he fathered a child w/ cant stand him either.  Diana (her) has actually become a good friend of mine because she's the only one that though to save my mothers ashes when Larry got evicted from the house in Smyrna.  His son, Christopher, does not like to go and visit him, and I don't blame him.  He STILL sleeps in the same bed my mother died in w/ no qualms, and I'm completely disgusted by it.  He killed my mother, I know that.  My dad and I have decided that even if he didn't physically kill her, he mentally abused her enough to cause her death.  At any rate, he is a sorry individual.  

I love you and Nanny Brockie.

Morgan

A MIRACLE HAPPENS IN FEBRUARY 1999

    Patty and I were adopted at a very young age and knew little of our real parents. It was an obsession with Patty to find out more information, but after Patty's death, the whole dream just sort of died for me too. So I’m nearing the end of a 20-year Air Force career when, this real life brother finds me after 38 years!  It was a real "Oprah" moment and proof once again that miracles happen.   We didn’t know we had a brother so that was really bizarre.

    My real brother, Michael Renbarger lives in Niles, Michigan.  His mother, Lois Renbarger was an angel to him as he had spent 5 years in foster care prior to being adopted.  His family includes the lovely Lois, sisters Tanya and Tracy, and brother Jim.   Tonya has 2 children, Erin and Tanner  (TJ), and two grandchildren, Danielle and newborn Dakota.  The lovely Tracy has 2 children, Sandy and Travis and Michael has one son, Mike Jr. (Rocco).  The entire family is pictured below along with the family cat, Miss Zoë.

    These photos are from the homecoming Party that Michael's family held in February 1999 when we finally got to meet.  The first picture from Back to Front, Left to Right is, Tonya, Me, Mike, Tonya's Daughter and Granddaughter, LOIS, Little Mike, Sandy, and Travis.  The second picture includes Tonya's Son, Tonya, Jim, Me, Mike, Tracy, Tonya's Daughter, LOIS, Sandy, Travis and Little Mike.  On another strange, but, true NOTE was that my real Grandmother from my Dad's side and my real Grandfather from my mother's side both passed away one month later.  Both were 85.  Did they finally feel peace on this earth once this Miracle had happened?  I think so.  

It was actually 38 years since Mike had started his search 15 years prior for Patty and Dean (Adam).  Interestingly enough, the private investigator that Mike had hired was getting ready to close the case and Mike's Mom paid the $150 balance in order to pursue it one more time.  Within one week, the Private Investigator located me and told me of my brother's search.  I was a little shaken at first as I was not aware that I had a brother and following Patty's death I really wasn't too thrilled about any practical jokes.  She asked me if I had ever gone by the name "Dean" and then I knew she was legitimate.  My adoptive parents told me that my real name was Dean when I was about 25.

I PROMISED MY BROTHER THAT WE WOULD GO INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER AND HERE IS PART OF IT  – "AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER"? (Cain, upon slaying Abel):  My answer and lifetime motto is yes, I am my brother's keeper, my sister's keeper and anyone else around me that needs help or assistance.  Literally translated I think it means that we are all each other's keeper.  If we don't take care of and love each other then what is the point of taking up space on this earth?  I think that the earth is only the proving ground for something much better, where everyone who enters it will be blessed with a brand new body.  Our earthly bodies might grow old, be diseased, or suffer crippling deformities, but upon entering heaven we're all going to get a fresh one for eternity.