Published: May 12, 2008 08:26 am            

Mike Benton Jr., 83

Mike A. Benton, Jr., died peacefully in his home May 9, 2008.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Mary and Mike Benton of Canel City, Ky.; his sister, Thelma (Donnie) Patrick of Morgan County, Ky.; brother, Grover (Goldie) Benton of Hodgenville, Ky.; sister, Oakley (Ira) Smith of Fairborn; and his brother, Dorsey (Maxine) Benton of Waynesville, Ohio.

Mike was born May 10, 1923, in Morgan County, Ky., to Mary and Mike Benton. Mike lived in the mountians of Morgan County until he joined the Army during WWII at the age of 19. While serving with Company M 330th Infantry Regiment of the 83th Infantry Division in Germany, he twice received a purple heart for being wounded and was taken as prisioner of war. After the war, Mike moved to Lexington, Ky., in 1947 where he met and married the love of his life, Juanita Hearn Benton. He was saved and joined Ashland Avenue Baptist Church that same year. He worked as a plumber apprentice at R.L. Sander, then later as a plumber/pipefitter for many years most of which with the John F. Humphrey Co. He worked on many large building projects in Lexington and surrounding counties including Saint Joseph Hospital, UK Med Center, Rupp Arena and numerous buildings in Eastern Kentucky University campus. He countiued to be a proud member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 452 until his death. In 1972, his family moved to Madison County, at which time they moved their church membership to Waco Baptist Church. During this time he enjoyed square dancing with the Waco Square Dancers. Fishing, bird watching and spending time outdoors and enjoying nature were among his favorite activities. Throughout his life, Mike and his wife were actively involved in field trails where they hunted quail from horseback with pointer and setter bird dog breeds. He played the dulcimer and enjoyed folk, mountain and gospel music. Mike had a quite gentle kindness that was evident from the moment you met him. He was a devoted Christian and was highly respected by all those who knew him. They only thing stronger than his pride and love he felt for his wife and family is the pride, love and respect they in turn felt for him. Mike and Juanita were blessed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary June 14, 2007.

Mr. Benton is survivied by: his loving wife, Juanita Hearn Benton of Waco, Ky.; a son, Larry (Melody) Wayne Benton of Lexington; two daughters, Lynnell (Tom) Benton Webb of Richmond, Ky., and Lydia (James) Glo Eaves of Richmond, Ky.; three grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Berry of Niceville, Ky., Larry (Michaelle) Benton, Jr., of Gulfport, Miss., and Matthew Webb of Richmond, Ky.; six great-grandchildren, Rebekah (Brad) Ellis, Rachael Betty, Raela Berry of Niceville, Fla., Christian Benton, Marissa Benton and Samuel Benton of Gulfport, Miss.; sisters, Flora (Ronald) Perkins of Canel City, Ky., Susan (Durwood) Oakley of Beaver Creek, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survivied by dear life-long friends, Evelyn Smith of Lexington, and Dewey and Ethel Mullins of Berea, Ky.

Funeral services will be conducted at noon Tuesday at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Main Street. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Nathan Sebastian, David Hearn, Don Mullins, Eddie Marshall, Frank Turpin and Don Maupin.

Contributions are suggested to: Waco Baptist Church, 3646 New Irvine Road, Waco, KY 40385; or Baptist Faith Missions, P.O. Box 471280, Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280.

        

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