Robert J. Benjamin Obituary (1926 - 2015)

Robert J. Benjamin, 88, formerly of Arrowsmith, died at 10:24 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2015 at Heartland Healthcare, Paxton.His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2015 at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, with Rev. John Steffen officiating. Burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Bentown. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, where the rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Honor Flight or to ALS Association. He was born October 28, 1926 in Bloomington, a son of Russell and Anna Layden Benjamin. He married Barbara J. Weber on June 5, 1948 at Merna. She preceded him in death on April 17, 2010.Surviving are eight children, Janey (Don) Hansen of Gibson City, Theresa (Kerry) Pfoff of Saybrook, Molly (Wally) Weppler and Amy (Jeff) Teske, both of Buckley, Richard (Kellie) Benjamin of Saybrook, Kevin (Jeralyn) Benjamin of Shelbyville, Greg (Susan) Benjamin of Holder and Robert (Debbie) Benjamin of Normal; 17 grandchildren; 1 step-grandson; 13 great-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-grandson.In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; four brothers; and two grandsons, Jeff Hansen and infant Kendall Pfoff.Bob served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a proud Honor Flight participant. He was a lifelong farmer in the Ellsworth and Arrowsmith areas. Bob was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colfax, the Ellsworth American Legion and the Knights of Columbus in Bloomington. Bob was an avid sports fan and loved to follow the Chicago Cubs and U of I Illini games. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, billiards and his role as the family jokester. Bob is leaving us all with memories of great laughter and thinking ofthat grin of his.The family deeply appreciates the fine care he received from Paxton Heartland Healthcare, Westminster, and Dr Stephen Kindred.