Marion – Elmer Benchley, longtime resident of the Clare and Marion area, passed away with family by his side, on Friday, October 21, 2022 at The Porches in Gaylord. He was 89.
Elmer was the 8th of 16 children born to Kenneth and Mildred (Durkee) Benchley. He attended school in Clare and after finishing high school he married Virginia Mae Thomas, from Hope, Michigan on May 31, 1950. They purchased a farm 2 miles east of Marion in 1954 and raised beef cattle for 40 years. He also worked at Michigan Gas Storage during 20 years of that time.
After retirement Elmer and Virginia lived in Florida during winter months, and at Rose Lake in the summer. He loved to hunt, fish, travel, follow politics, go to family gatherings and laugh loudly. Most of all he loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. He was known to take daily walks – long walks through the farm pastures and later in the subdivisions at Rose Lake and Florida. Neighbors and friends were always made welcome to drop-in anytime for a visit and coffee. Elmer and Virginia were members of Cadillac West Seventh-Day Adventist Church where music was always a highlight for him.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Virginia, and his daughters, Connie Banks of Marion and Joanne (Ricky) Jordan of Gaylord, and son, Garry E. Benchley of New Port Richey, Florida; six grandchildren, Chad (Sarah) Banks, Jacob (Jamie) Banks, Grace (Boris) Ambrus; Ryan (Shannon) Lucas, Kristina Jordan, and Joel Jordan; six great-grandchildren, Logan, Emily, and Conner Lucas, Sylvie and Amelie Ambrus, and Serena Banks. He was preceded in death by his 3-year-old son, Larry; by his parents; one sister; and eight brothers.
A private interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Marion. Memorials may be made to Compasses Hospice of Alpena.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Fosnaught-Holdship.com The family is being served by the Fosnaught Holdship Funeral Home