Richard "Dick" Benson

Richard (Dick) Benson, of Monroe Township, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2020.  He was born March 2, 1927 in Conneaut, Ohio.  He was the son of Rockford and Wanda Benson.

            He graduated from Conneaut High School with honors in 1945.  He joined the Navy in the fall of 1945 for a brief stint and was honorably discharged the following summer.       

            Dick was a third-generation farmer.  His grandad moved to the current farm in 1907.  Dick farmed with his dad for many years and then continued with his sons.    His dad and he delivered milk through the depression and WWll where as a 14-year old, acquired his driver’s license and delivered milk himself.  He continued dairy farming well into his eighties and enjoyed meeting with local people in the area Farm Council. 

            He belonged to many organizations.  Dick was a founding member of the Monroe Athletic Club.  He was a life member of the Masons.  Other organizations he belonged to include Ashtabula County Holstein Club, Ashtabula County Soil and Water, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, and also served on the Fair Board for the Ashtabula County Fair. 

            Baseball was a favorite interest.  He watched the Indians play in all three ballparks.  As a young boy, he saw Babe Ruth play in Cleveland.  After the Navy, he played baseball and also bowled for the Monroe Athletic Club.

            In 1946, he and his dad built a sugar house and started producing maple syrup in 1947.  This business continues to present day. 

            Survivors include his wife, Martha, whom he married September 12, 1953; sister, Jane Puffer; sons, Rick, Jerry (Karen), Terry (Martha), and Rock (Jodie); 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. 

            He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Goodale; and his daughter-in-law, Debbie (Rick’s wife). 

            Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut. Burial will follow in Kelloggsville Cemetery, Monroe Township. Reception will follow at the Monroe Fire Hall.

Visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2020, from 5-7 P.M.; and also Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the Marcy Funeral Home.

            Contributions can be made to Monroe Fire Department or Hospice of the Western Reserve. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.           

            Sign the guestbook at www.marcyfuneralhome

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