James Robert Benson, 68, died on Sunday, April 10, 2016, aboard a cruise ship which was docked at Fort Lauderdale, Florida after a life of struggling with complications from polio that he contracted as a young child.
Born on June 16, 1947 in Bloomington, he was the son of John and Martha "Sunny" Benson. He grew up on a farm on the Elliott-Dewey Road and attended Gibson City schools. Jim completed his law degree at the University of Illinois.
He served as state's attorney in Ford County for 11 years and later as an appellate attorney on the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's staff.
He married Mary (Gushwa) Benson on July 21, 1973; she survives. Also surviving are his sister, Lucinda Benson Vriner and two brothers, Charles Benson and Edward Benson.
As well as earning his life guard certificate and private pilot license, Jim enjoyed teaching his nephews the strategies of chess, the art of archery and the patience of fishing. His insatiable appetite for books provided a source for endless stories, causing his nephews to claim, "Uncle Jim knows something about everything."
As a United Methodist lay speaker, Jim led worship services once a month at Eunice Smith nursing home in Alton.
He will be remembered for his eclectic reading, his extensive knowledge of the Pacific theater in World War II, his love of contemporary art and above all, a positive, resilient attitude toward life.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette.
Born on June 16, 1947 in Bloomington, he was the son of John and Martha "Sunny" Benson. He grew up on a farm on the Elliott-Dewey Road and attended Gibson City schools. Jim completed his law degree at the University of Illinois.
He served as state's attorney in Ford County for 11 years and later as an appellate attorney on the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's staff.
He married Mary (Gushwa) Benson on July 21, 1973; she survives. Also surviving are his sister, Lucinda Benson Vriner and two brothers, Charles Benson and Edward Benson.
As well as earning his life guard certificate and private pilot license, Jim enjoyed teaching his nephews the strategies of chess, the art of archery and the patience of fishing. His insatiable appetite for books provided a source for endless stories, causing his nephews to claim, "Uncle Jim knows something about everything."
As a United Methodist lay speaker, Jim led worship services once a month at Eunice Smith nursing home in Alton.
He will be remembered for his eclectic reading, his extensive knowledge of the Pacific theater in World War II, his love of contemporary art and above all, a positive, resilient attitude toward life.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette.
James Robert Benson, 68, died on Sunday, April 10, 2016, aboard a cruise ship which was docked at Fort Lauderdale, Florida after a life of struggling with complications from polio that he contracted as a young child.
Born on June 16, 1947 in Bloomington, he was the son of John and Martha "Sunny" Benson. He grew up on a farm on the Elliott-Dewey Road and attended Gibson City schools. Jim completed his law degree at the University of Illinois.
He served as state's attorney in Ford County for 11 years and later as an appellate attorney on the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's staff.
He married Mary (Gushwa) Benson on July 21, 1973; she survives. Also surviving are his sister, Lucinda Benson Vriner and two brothers, Charles Benson and Edward Benson.
As well as earning his life guard certificate and private pilot license, Jim enjoyed teaching his nephews the strategies of chess, the art of archery and the patience of fishing. His insatiable appetite for books provided a source for endless stories, causing his nephews to claim, "Uncle Jim knows something about everything."
As a United Methodist lay speaker, Jim led worship services once a month at Eunice Smith nursing home in Alton.
He will be remembered for his eclectic reading, his extensive knowledge of the Pacific theater in World War II, his love of contemporary art and above all, a positive, resilient attitude toward life.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette.
Born on June 16, 1947 in Bloomington, he was the son of John and Martha "Sunny" Benson. He grew up on a farm on the Elliott-Dewey Road and attended Gibson City schools. Jim completed his law degree at the University of Illinois.
He served as state's attorney in Ford County for 11 years and later as an appellate attorney on the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's staff.
He married Mary (Gushwa) Benson on July 21, 1973; she survives. Also surviving are his sister, Lucinda Benson Vriner and two brothers, Charles Benson and Edward Benson.
As well as earning his life guard certificate and private pilot license, Jim enjoyed teaching his nephews the strategies of chess, the art of archery and the patience of fishing. His insatiable appetite for books provided a source for endless stories, causing his nephews to claim, "Uncle Jim knows something about everything."
As a United Methodist lay speaker, Jim led worship services once a month at Eunice Smith nursing home in Alton.
He will be remembered for his eclectic reading, his extensive knowledge of the Pacific theater in World War II, his love of contemporary art and above all, a positive, resilient attitude toward life.
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
