Joseph Benke

Joseph "Joe" Benke, age 85, died of natural causes on February 25, 2017, in his home in Cortland, Ohio. Joe is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth, of Cortland; his daughter, Antoinette "Annie" (Robert) St. Clair, of Raleigh, North Carolina, grandchildren Lance, Meghan, Lauren and six great-grandchildren; his daughter, Tracy (Jeffrey) Schultz, of Gurnee, IL, grandchildren Thomas, Jonathan and Jackson; his son, Scott Benke, of Long Lake, Minnesota, granddaughter Delaney; his son, Brad (Brandi) Benke, of Warren, OH, grandchildren, Kyle, Tyler, Dylan, Jake, Joseph and one great-grandchild; his brother Robert (Susan) Benke and his brother Ronald (Patricia) Kavulick. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sister Violet and son, Thomas. Joe was born July 26, 1931, in Star Junction, Pennsylvania, to parents Helen and Joseph Benke. He graduated from Frazier High School in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, as Valedictorian. He served 39 years in the United States Air Force, including active duty in Japan, followed by active Air Force Reserves. Joe also worked for American Welding Manufacturing in Warren, Ohio, for 42 years, as well as serving as local union president for several terms. Joe was a hardworking man and a loving father and beloved grandfather who found joy in his grandchildren and would do just about anything they asked. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Warren, and he was civic-minded, serving as a board member for both the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, ringing bells for 35 years. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Elks (B.P.O.E.). His family and friends will always remember him as a passionate and proud man. He was a licensed pilot, an avid Steelers fan, loved keeping up with politics, reading the newspaper, growing tomatoes and dabbling in the stock market. A memorial service will be held at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the memorial fund at Emmanuel Lutheran, Warren, or donate blood to the Red Cross in his honor.