Benson, C. Ronald 1916-1992

BENSON, ELLIS, DURR, HENNING, THOMPSON, WHITE, PERRY, CALLISON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/3/2017 at 20:46:22

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
April 27, 1992

C. RONALD BENSON

C. Ronald Benson, 76, of Rte. 4, Grinnell, died of emphysema and cancer Wednesday, April 22, at Grinnell General Hospital.

Funeral services were conducted Friday at the Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. David Pinkerton of the Taintor United Methodist Church officiating. Organist was James Severe, and vocalist was Milton Severe. Pallbearers were Russ Adkins, Wayne Callison, Lloyd Durr, Pat Gallagher, Carroll Stuart and Vic White.

Veterans rites were conducted by the Grinnell Veterans Ceremonial Unit, with burial in Rock Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Grinnell Senior Center.

The son of Willard and Golda Ellis Benson, he was born Jan. 2, 1916, in Kellogg. He attended rural Jasper County schools. During World War II he served with the U.S. Army in Europe and earned six Bronze Stars for serving in six major battles. He was awarded the Silver Star following the war.

He was married to Gladys Marie Durr Jan. 2, 1946, in Newton The couple farmed in the Kellogg and Grinnell areas. Mr. Benson also operated a farm-to-market trucking service. He retired from farming in 1978.

He was a member of the American Legion and served for five years as Poweshiek County weed commissioner. From 1988 to 1991 he drove a county van for developmentally handicapped adults.

Surviving are his wife; one son, Rick of Cedar Rapids; two daughters, Sandi Benson of Fallbrook, Calif., and Becky Henning of Hutchison, Kan.; two grandchildren; and three sisters, Wilma Thompson and Florence White, both of Newton and Lois Perry of Eldon, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Glenn, Merle, Louis and Kenny; and one sister, Myrtle Callison.