Norman L. "Dutch" Benefiel, 84, of Newton passed away at 6:32 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2009, at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Newton, with Father Al Kemme celebrating Mass. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Newton, with full military rites by Jasper Post 20 American Legion.
Norman, also known as "Dutch," was born in Fox Township, Jasper County, the son of Ernest L. and Nora L. (Wagner) Benefiel. He married Dorothy L. Kinsel June 9, 1947, and she survives. Dutch served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry 78th Lightning Infantry Division during World War II in the European Theatre. As a result of injuries incurred during the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
Dutch was an excavating contractor in the area for many years and was the first ranger at Sam Parr State Park. He retired as an equipment operator in the coal yard at Newton Power Station. Dutch was a former Democrat precinct committeeman and was elected to Illinois House of Representatives in 1960. Dutch was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1704, Jasper Post 20 American Legion where he served as past commander, was a charter member of Jasper County Country Club, member of Newton Fire Department for many years and served as Past Commander of 23rd District of the American Legion.
Dutch had many hobbies which included flying as a private pilot and raising and racing standard-bred pacers and mushroom hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Dutch is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy L. Benefiel of Newton; children, Phil (Carol), Bruce (Cindy), Kent (Janet) and Brad (Teresa) Benefiel, all of Newton, Mark (Cathy) Benefiel of Mount Vernon and Kathy Thorson of Philo; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Dutch was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Velma Rose Buckman and Ernestine "Tennie" Hall.
~ Published in the Effingham Daily News on 4/14/2009
Norman, also known as "Dutch," was born in Fox Township, Jasper County, the son of Ernest L. and Nora L. (Wagner) Benefiel. He married Dorothy L. Kinsel June 9, 1947, and she survives. Dutch served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry 78th Lightning Infantry Division during World War II in the European Theatre. As a result of injuries incurred during the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
Dutch was an excavating contractor in the area for many years and was the first ranger at Sam Parr State Park. He retired as an equipment operator in the coal yard at Newton Power Station. Dutch was a former Democrat precinct committeeman and was elected to Illinois House of Representatives in 1960. Dutch was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1704, Jasper Post 20 American Legion where he served as past commander, was a charter member of Jasper County Country Club, member of Newton Fire Department for many years and served as Past Commander of 23rd District of the American Legion.
Dutch had many hobbies which included flying as a private pilot and raising and racing standard-bred pacers and mushroom hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Dutch is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy L. Benefiel of Newton; children, Phil (Carol), Bruce (Cindy), Kent (Janet) and Brad (Teresa) Benefiel, all of Newton, Mark (Cathy) Benefiel of Mount Vernon and Kathy Thorson of Philo; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Dutch was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Velma Rose Buckman and Ernestine "Tennie" Hall.
~ Published in the Effingham Daily News on 4/14/2009
Norman L. "Dutch" Benefiel, 84, of Newton passed away at 6:32 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2009, at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Newton, with Father Al Kemme celebrating Mass. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Newton, with full military rites by Jasper Post 20 American Legion.
Norman, also known as "Dutch," was born in Fox Township, Jasper County, the son of Ernest L. and Nora L. (Wagner) Benefiel. He married Dorothy L. Kinsel June 9, 1947, and she survives. Dutch served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry 78th Lightning Infantry Division during World War II in the European Theatre. As a result of injuries incurred during the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
Dutch was an excavating contractor in the area for many years and was the first ranger at Sam Parr State Park. He retired as an equipment operator in the coal yard at Newton Power Station. Dutch was a former Democrat precinct committeeman and was elected to Illinois House of Representatives in 1960. Dutch was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1704, Jasper Post 20 American Legion where he served as past commander, was a charter member of Jasper County Country Club, member of Newton Fire Department for many years and served as Past Commander of 23rd District of the American Legion.
Dutch had many hobbies which included flying as a private pilot and raising and racing standard-bred pacers and mushroom hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Dutch is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy L. Benefiel of Newton; children, Phil (Carol), Bruce (Cindy), Kent (Janet) and Brad (Teresa) Benefiel, all of Newton, Mark (Cathy) Benefiel of Mount Vernon and Kathy Thorson of Philo; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Dutch was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Velma Rose Buckman and Ernestine "Tennie" Hall.
~ Published in the Effingham Daily News on 4/14/2009
Norman, also known as "Dutch," was born in Fox Township, Jasper County, the son of Ernest L. and Nora L. (Wagner) Benefiel. He married Dorothy L. Kinsel June 9, 1947, and she survives. Dutch served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry 78th Lightning Infantry Division during World War II in the European Theatre. As a result of injuries incurred during the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
Dutch was an excavating contractor in the area for many years and was the first ranger at Sam Parr State Park. He retired as an equipment operator in the coal yard at Newton Power Station. Dutch was a former Democrat precinct committeeman and was elected to Illinois House of Representatives in 1960. Dutch was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1704, Jasper Post 20 American Legion where he served as past commander, was a charter member of Jasper County Country Club, member of Newton Fire Department for many years and served as Past Commander of 23rd District of the American Legion.
Dutch had many hobbies which included flying as a private pilot and raising and racing standard-bred pacers and mushroom hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Dutch is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy L. Benefiel of Newton; children, Phil (Carol), Bruce (Cindy), Kent (Janet) and Brad (Teresa) Benefiel, all of Newton, Mark (Cathy) Benefiel of Mount Vernon and Kathy Thorson of Philo; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Dutch was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Velma Rose Buckman and Ernestine "Tennie" Hall.
~ Published in the Effingham Daily News on 4/14/2009
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