Watertown - Jeanette B. Caulkins, 85, a resident of the Samaritan Keep Home, died Monday, January 18, 2016, at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.

Jeanette was born in Herrings on July 16, 1930, the daughter of the late Ballard and Eva Serviss Benware. She attended Herrings grade school and Augustinian Academy in Carthage. She was employed at National Paper Products Company for two years and worked in housekeeping at Fort Drum for several years. She was a meticulous homemaker. She loved to play Bingo and enjoyed listening and dancing to music. Jeanette married Gilbert W. Rogers, Jr. on May 13, 1950 in the Rectory of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Black River with Rev. James A. Fix, Pastor officiating. Mr. Rogers died on November 22, 1959. A second marriage ended in divorce.


She is survived by three daughters: Ginger J. Caulkins of Watertown, Linda M. Ablan of Carthage and Mrs. Neil (Debra) S. Hamilton of Watertown, two brothers: Clarence Benware of Black River and Carl Benware of Watertown, 5 Grandchildren, Robert, Jason, Ryan, Tasha and Tyler; 15 Great Grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Aletha Streeter of Carthage and Velma Closs of Hammond. She is predeceased by two brothers, Lyndon and Harold Benware and a son-in-law, John Ablan.


A funeral mass will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage with the Rev. Donald A. Robinson, Pastor officiating. Spring burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage will be on Thursday from 4-7pm.