On the evening of June 13th, 2018, 66 year-old Eugene Bencomo of Oakwood, passed away at Carle Hospital in Urbana. Ben was well-known for his involvement in activities and events relating to history. His passion for the past started when he was a child in New Mexico, and continued through his formative years growing up in Danville.
His love for, and devotion to history was a constant, as he spent almost forty years bringing the American Civil War to life on reenactment battlefields and camps, in movies such as “Gettysburg” and “Glory,” speaking to civic groups, and at Living History events and Museums. But what he loved the most was sharing his love for history with young people. School Days and classroom presentations were his favorite venues, as he sought to get the spark started in students to want to learn about history. His outgoing nature always worked to make history fun as well as educational.
Ben was founder and Commander of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society, a member of the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, and co-owner of the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Emporium Civil War Sutlery. Many of his original Civil War artifacts are on display at the Vermilion County War Museum. In addition to being a Civil War reenactor and living history presenter, Ben was a Boy Scout leader for over twenty years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in sporting events and on-stage.
Ben was a severely wounded and decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Battalion of the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. His exposure to Agent Orange is believed to have added to the complications causing his death.
While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he returned to Danville to marry his sweetheart of four years, Emily Powell of Danville on July 3, 1971. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben worked at a car dealership and body shop, Chanute Air Force Base, then to the VA Hospital in Danville, where he retired after 32 years.
Eugene Bencomo was loved and respected as a friend, a father, a grandfather, a role model, a mentor, a leader, and a helper. You couldn't help but enjoy his company.
Survivors include: his wife, Emily, daughter Barbara (Jason) Whaling, sons Anthony and Gregory Bencomo, and grandchildren Riley Whaling, Mikayla Whaling and Cyan Sky Bencomo; brother Lawrence Bencomo, sister Emily Marie Bencomo, and step-brother Manuel Carbajal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Emidio Bencomo, his stepmother Ermalinda Bencomo, and his son, Christopher Bencomo.
A Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23rd at Pape Funeral Home in Danville, with Memorial Services to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, P.O. Box 127, Danville, IL 61834. Funds will be used to erect tombstones on unmarked graves of veterans of the Civil War. Messages and memories may be left at www.papefuneral.com, or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.
His love for, and devotion to history was a constant, as he spent almost forty years bringing the American Civil War to life on reenactment battlefields and camps, in movies such as “Gettysburg” and “Glory,” speaking to civic groups, and at Living History events and Museums. But what he loved the most was sharing his love for history with young people. School Days and classroom presentations were his favorite venues, as he sought to get the spark started in students to want to learn about history. His outgoing nature always worked to make history fun as well as educational.
Ben was founder and Commander of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society, a member of the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, and co-owner of the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Emporium Civil War Sutlery. Many of his original Civil War artifacts are on display at the Vermilion County War Museum. In addition to being a Civil War reenactor and living history presenter, Ben was a Boy Scout leader for over twenty years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in sporting events and on-stage.
Ben was a severely wounded and decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Battalion of the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. His exposure to Agent Orange is believed to have added to the complications causing his death.
While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he returned to Danville to marry his sweetheart of four years, Emily Powell of Danville on July 3, 1971. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben worked at a car dealership and body shop, Chanute Air Force Base, then to the VA Hospital in Danville, where he retired after 32 years.
Eugene Bencomo was loved and respected as a friend, a father, a grandfather, a role model, a mentor, a leader, and a helper. You couldn't help but enjoy his company.
Survivors include: his wife, Emily, daughter Barbara (Jason) Whaling, sons Anthony and Gregory Bencomo, and grandchildren Riley Whaling, Mikayla Whaling and Cyan Sky Bencomo; brother Lawrence Bencomo, sister Emily Marie Bencomo, and step-brother Manuel Carbajal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Emidio Bencomo, his stepmother Ermalinda Bencomo, and his son, Christopher Bencomo.
A Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23rd at Pape Funeral Home in Danville, with Memorial Services to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, P.O. Box 127, Danville, IL 61834. Funds will be used to erect tombstones on unmarked graves of veterans of the Civil War. Messages and memories may be left at www.papefuneral.com, or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.
On the evening of June 13th, 2018, 66 year-old Eugene Bencomo of Oakwood, passed away at Carle Hospital in Urbana. Ben was well-known for his involvement in activities and events relating to history. His passion for the past started when he was a child in New Mexico, and continued through his formative years growing up in Danville.
His love for, and devotion to history was a constant, as he spent almost forty years bringing the American Civil War to life on reenactment battlefields and camps, in movies such as “Gettysburg” and “Glory,” speaking to civic groups, and at Living History events and Museums. But what he loved the most was sharing his love for history with young people. School Days and classroom presentations were his favorite venues, as he sought to get the spark started in students to want to learn about history. His outgoing nature always worked to make history fun as well as educational.
Ben was founder and Commander of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society, a member of the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, and co-owner of the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Emporium Civil War Sutlery. Many of his original Civil War artifacts are on display at the Vermilion County War Museum. In addition to being a Civil War reenactor and living history presenter, Ben was a Boy Scout leader for over twenty years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in sporting events and on-stage.
Ben was a severely wounded and decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Battalion of the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. His exposure to Agent Orange is believed to have added to the complications causing his death.
While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he returned to Danville to marry his sweetheart of four years, Emily Powell of Danville on July 3, 1971. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben worked at a car dealership and body shop, Chanute Air Force Base, then to the VA Hospital in Danville, where he retired after 32 years.
Eugene Bencomo was loved and respected as a friend, a father, a grandfather, a role model, a mentor, a leader, and a helper. You couldn't help but enjoy his company.
Survivors include: his wife, Emily, daughter Barbara (Jason) Whaling, sons Anthony and Gregory Bencomo, and grandchildren Riley Whaling, Mikayla Whaling and Cyan Sky Bencomo; brother Lawrence Bencomo, sister Emily Marie Bencomo, and step-brother Manuel Carbajal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Emidio Bencomo, his stepmother Ermalinda Bencomo, and his son, Christopher Bencomo.
A Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23rd at Pape Funeral Home in Danville, with Memorial Services to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, P.O. Box 127, Danville, IL 61834. Funds will be used to erect tombstones on unmarked graves of veterans of the Civil War. Messages and memories may be left at www.papefuneral.com, or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.
His love for, and devotion to history was a constant, as he spent almost forty years bringing the American Civil War to life on reenactment battlefields and camps, in movies such as “Gettysburg” and “Glory,” speaking to civic groups, and at Living History events and Museums. But what he loved the most was sharing his love for history with young people. School Days and classroom presentations were his favorite venues, as he sought to get the spark started in students to want to learn about history. His outgoing nature always worked to make history fun as well as educational.
Ben was founder and Commander of the Illiana Civil War Historical Society, a member of the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, and co-owner of the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Emporium Civil War Sutlery. Many of his original Civil War artifacts are on display at the Vermilion County War Museum. In addition to being a Civil War reenactor and living history presenter, Ben was a Boy Scout leader for over twenty years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren in sporting events and on-stage.
Ben was a severely wounded and decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Battalion of the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. His exposure to Agent Orange is believed to have added to the complications causing his death.
While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he returned to Danville to marry his sweetheart of four years, Emily Powell of Danville on July 3, 1971. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben worked at a car dealership and body shop, Chanute Air Force Base, then to the VA Hospital in Danville, where he retired after 32 years.
Eugene Bencomo was loved and respected as a friend, a father, a grandfather, a role model, a mentor, a leader, and a helper. You couldn't help but enjoy his company.
Survivors include: his wife, Emily, daughter Barbara (Jason) Whaling, sons Anthony and Gregory Bencomo, and grandchildren Riley Whaling, Mikayla Whaling and Cyan Sky Bencomo; brother Lawrence Bencomo, sister Emily Marie Bencomo, and step-brother Manuel Carbajal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Emidio Bencomo, his stepmother Ermalinda Bencomo, and his son, Christopher Bencomo.
A Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23rd at Pape Funeral Home in Danville, with Memorial Services to follow at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ward Hill Lamon Civil War Roundtable, P.O. Box 127, Danville, IL 61834. Funds will be used to erect tombstones on unmarked graves of veterans of the Civil War. Messages and memories may be left at www.papefuneral.com, or on the Pape Family Funeral Home Facebook page.
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