Kenneth R. Benson

JOLIET — Mr. Kenneth R. "Kenny" Benson, 64, of Morris, passed away peacefully Monday evening, May 25, 2009, at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet.

Born June 19, 1944, in Morris, he was the son of Russell I. and Marian (Ellberg) Benson. He was educated in Thumb School in Wauponsee Township. He graduated from Morris Community High School with the class of 1962, and then attended Northern Illinois University.

He was a member of the Morris Police Department for several years. For more than 30 years, he was employed with Talty Chevrolet, Buick & Cadillac.

He loved music and played the drums with many local music groups. He was a member of the Grundy County Corn Festival and he served as its parade chairman for many years. He was a member of Mazon Lodge 826 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Bloomington, Medinah Temple of the Shrine, Morris Shrine Club, Royal Order of Jesters Court 48, Morris Moose Lodge 967 and Happy Hill Aerie 1024 Fraternal Order of Eagles in Morris.

Survivors include two sons, Christopher (Melissa) Benson of Grant Park and Keith (Jody) Benson of Lemont; six grandchildren, Christian, Chad, Caleb, Micaelyn, Caiden and James; his mother, Marian Benson of Morris; one sister, Kay (Jay) Moser of Elkader, Iowa; one brother, Gerald Benson of Joliet; his loving companion, Nancy Henricksen of Joliet; four nephews and one great niece.

He was preceded in death by his father on Nov. 14, 1983.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2009. Mazon Lodge 826 A.F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic services starting at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the funeral home with Rev. Diane Gillham officiating.

Interment will follow at Sample Cemetery.

Memorial gifts can be directed to the Chicago Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago or the Joliet Area Community Hospice.

Online condolences can be made at www.ucdavisandsons.com.

U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home, Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For information, call 815-942-0084.