Stephen Benjey
Wilsonville |
Stephen Leon Benjey, 99, formerly of Wilsonville died Wednesday evening, March 20, 2013 at his residence in Winter Haven, FL.
Born in Benld on December 12, 1913, he was the son of William Botner Benjey and Augusta (Sawyer) Benjey.
He graduated from Meisner High School in Bunker Hill in 1933, and married Virginia (Madiol) Benjey on Oct. 3, 1942. She passed away April 2, 1989.
He served during WWII as a Seabee on Guam from 1944-1945 and retired after 25 years as a machinist with Owens-Illinois in Alton and then Godfrey. An avid antique car enthusiast, he took annual tours with his four eldest sons of antique automobile and agriculture museums. He enjoyed playing Scrabble through his 99th birthday.
Leon is survived by his eight sons, Terrance (Rita) Benjey of Wilmington, NC, Thomas (Ann) Benjey of Carlisle, PA, Daniel (Betty) Benjey of Alton, Todd (Ana) Benjey, Champaign, Donald Benjey of Wilsonville, Shawn Benjey of Wilsonville, , Stephen Benjey of Lititz, PA, and Grant Benjey of Wilsonville; two daughters, Kathleen (Dale) Boyer of Winter Haven, FL and Beth (Ralph) Gallegos of Rio Rancho, NM; four grandchildren, Christopher (Anke) Benjey of Cliffside Park, NJ, Tara (Greg) Schmidt of Tallahassee, FL, Leticia Gallegos of Dallas, TX and Jesse Gallegos of Seattle, WA.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, brothers, Harold, Grant, Charles, and Jack Benjey.
The family of Leon Benjey wishes to thank Winter Haven Hospice for their warm and loving care. Cremation will be in Winter Haven with final interment at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bethalto on a date yet to be determined.
