obituaries

Thomas Benz

Kane |

Thomas Eugene Benz, 70, passed away at 11:45 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2014 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville.

He was born in Kampsville on October 21 1943, and was the son of the late Arthur & Theresa (Corbett) Benz.

He was a 1961 graduate of Hardin High School, and obtained a Bachelors in Agriculture Economics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  He had been employed for 42 years with the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency in Carrollton serving as a farm loan manager.

Tom was a very active and loyal man, serving as the former president of the Illinois Employee Association, was a former school board member of the Carrollton Community Unit School District #1, active the the Lions Club, serving in several capacities including president, secretary and treasurer.  He was a former board member and treasurer of Boyd Memorial Hospital, and an active member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Carrollton.  He was also involved in the Knights of Columbus, Quincy Cursillo, and was active in the Residents Encounter Christ Prison Ministry.  In his "spare" time, Tom enjoyed farming, hunting and fishing, but truly cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He married the former JoAn Stelbrink on July 3, 1965 at the St. Anselm's Catholic Church in Kampsville and she survives.

Also surviving are three daughters and sons in law, Sherri & Chuck MacLean of Bella Vista, Ar., Cindy Keneipp of Columbia, Mo., and Laura & Terry Woodring of Jerseyville; six grandchildren, Maria MacLean, Mandi MacLean, Alex Keneipp, Rachel Keneipp, Leann Woodring and Taylor Woodring; two brothers & a sisters in law, Jim & Mary Benz of Quincy and Dan & Sharon Benz of Woodbine, Md.; a step sister, Patsy Smith of Hannibal, Mo; his brothers in law and sisters in law, Dick & Donna Stelbrink of Kampsville, Jim & Frances Stelbrink of Pearl, and Mike & Cathy Stelbrink of Kampsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter; a brother, Paul Anthony; a sister, Mary Ellen; a step mother, Loretta Benz; and his father in law & mother in law, Joseph & Virginia (Kadell) Stelbrink.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the St. John's Catholic Church in Carrollton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. ,Friday at the St. John's Catholic Church in Carrollton with Fr. Henry Schmidt and Fr. John Patrick Day concelebrating.

Burial will be in the St. Anselm's Catholic Cemetery in Kampsville.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to the St. John's Catholic School, St. John's Catholic Church, masses or to a charity of ones choice.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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