Howard B. Benz (2013)

ASHMAN, BEAMAN, BENZ, DIRKSEN, GRIESER, HESS, MORRIS, RADAKOVICH, SCAR, STOLL

Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 6/2/2013 at 23:06:31

Johnson Family Funeral Home
Earlham, Iowa
May 2013

Howard B. Benz

Howard B. Benz 98, of North Canton, Ohio formerly of Earlham passed away Wednesday, May 22th in North Canton, Ohio. Visitation will be held from 2-4 P.M. Sunday, June 2 at Johnson's Family Funeral Home in Earlham. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3 at 11 A.M. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter. Burial will follow in the Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Earlham Fire and Rescue or Zion Lutheran Church in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 171, Earlham, Iowa 50072.

Howard was born on October 11, 1914 at Stuart, Iowa to Henry William Sebastian and Florence Mae Grieser Benz. He was five years old when the family settled on the family farm southeast of Dexter. Howard graduated from Dexter High School in 1933. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Chicago from 1933 – 1937. He then attended Iowa State University majoring in Engineering. He was united in marriage to Mary Radakovich on Sunday, April 13, 1941, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter. To this union, two daughters were born, Dorothy and Eleanor. After their marriage, they started farming on their 80 acre farm southwest of Earlham. They farmed until their retirement. Besides tilling the soil, Howard raised hogs and sold them directly to Wilson Hi-Bred. He also raised poultry and sold them, as well, directly to Henry A Wallace at Hy-Line Farms. Howard was an entrepreneur, always thinking of the best way to optimize his business. When his wife Mary became ill in 1980, Howard's devotion to his wife was apparent as he learned to cook, clean and do laundry. He became the most compassionate caregiver, meeting all of her needs. After Mary's passing in 1983, Howard continued to live on the farm. On May 19, 1990, Howard and Dorothy Scar were married and lived in Earlham. As he had taught his family by his loving and caring nature, it became his daughters' turn to become the caregivers. In Howard's later years he spent a lot of time between his two daughters' homes. He spent winters in Arizona with Ellie and husband, Steve, and summers with Dorothy and husband, Ron in North Canton, Ohio. In 2006, Howard moved to North Canton, Ohio to live permanently.

Howard was a lifetime member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, Iowa, where he was baptized on April 18, 1915, and later confirmed on July 8, 1928. Church was very important to Howard. He served as a trustee for many years and always made sure his daughters completed their Sunday school lessons. He took great enjoyment from his active role within the church which was a source of inspiration and hope for him. Howard was the oldest member of the Zion Lutheran Church.

In his early years, Howard enjoyed making furniture, a talent he learned long ago from his father. He later enjoyed fishing and taking his family on trips to California to visit family. He always had the cribbage board ready and would challenge anyone who was willing to play. While in Ohio, Howard enjoyed Louis L'Amour books, National Geographic, keeping up on current events and his excercise sessions. He attended St. Jacob's Lutheran Church where the congregation honored him with a 90th birthday party after the Sunday service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Florence Mae Benz, his beloved wife, Mary, and siblings, William Benz and Lucille Stoll and one son-in-law, Steve Hess.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory; his daughters, Dorothy (Ron) Dirksen, of North Canton, Ohio and Ellie Hess of Earlham; wife Dorothy of Earlham; grandchildren, Darren Dirksen and his children, Christina and Delaney; Darcy (Joe) Morris and their children, Jack, Daniel, Maeve, James and Liam; Shannon (George) Ashman and their children, Taylor, Cole and Brayton; Shondel (Chad) Beaman and their children, Kendra, Kirstyn and Kali and a host of nieces, nephews and friends all of whom will miss him greatly. (Arrangements: Johnson Family Funeral Home – Earlham Chapel).

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