Michael “Mike” Benedum

Born: July 16, 1869, Bridgeport, West Virginia

Died: July 30, 1959, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sarah Nancy Lantz Benedum

Born: September 22, 1872, Blacksville, West Virginia

Died: August 11, 1951 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lieutenant Claude Worthington Benedum

Born January 13, 1898, Cameron, West Virginia

Died October 17, 1918, Washington, DC

The rounded arched stained-glass window in the back of the Renaissance Palazzo-style Benedum Family mausoleum at the Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, likely depicts St. Michael, as he is shown wearing a sword.  Like much symbolism found in cemeteries, however, this could have a more personal meaning.  The Benedum’s only son was serving in Washington DC as a chemical warfare specialist when he contracted the influenza and died. This scene could possibly depict Lieutenant Claude Benedum, the Benedum’s only child, as a soldier being lifted to Heaven by the two winged angels flanking the figure. 

But the message on the bottom of the window, partly obscured, quotes the Biblical passage Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” This passage calls on Christians to live lives dedicated to service rather than be served.  Even though, Jesus was the son of God, he demonstrated servant leadership and called on others to do the same with humility and selflessness.