Mike was the son of Charles Derois Benke and Faye Millwood Benke.
He was a fireman with The Charleston Fire Station #16, a member of the International Fire Fighters Association, and a member of Palmetto Community Church.
Surviving are his dear wife, Kim Cofield Benke; a son, Hunter Michael Benke; two daughters, Taylor Michelle Benke and Holly Benke Gildea all of Charleston; two grandchildren, Kayla Cofield and C.J. Chris Cofield, Jr.; his father and mother-in-law, Raymond and JoAnn Cofield, Jr. of Charleston, Rusty, Chris and Charlene Cofield of Cottageville, SC, and Andy Benke of Sullivans Island, SC; nephew, and Raymond Cofield, IV.
The victims and their years of service are:
*Captain William "Billy" Hutchinson, 30 years service
*Captain Mike Benke, 29 years service
*Captain Louis Mulkey, 11½ years service
*Engineer Mark Kelsey, 12½ years service
*Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 9 years service
*Asst. Engineer Michael French, 1½ years service
*Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 32 years service
*Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 4 years service
*Firefighter Melvin Champaign, 2 years service
Mike was the son of Charles Derois Benke and Faye Millwood Benke.
He was a fireman with The Charleston Fire Station #16, a member of the International Fire Fighters Association, and a member of Palmetto Community Church.
Surviving are his dear wife, Kim Cofield Benke; a son, Hunter Michael Benke; two daughters, Taylor Michelle Benke and Holly Benke Gildea all of Charleston; two grandchildren, Kayla Cofield and C.J. Chris Cofield, Jr.; his father and mother-in-law, Raymond and JoAnn Cofield, Jr. of Charleston, Rusty, Chris and Charlene Cofield of Cottageville, SC, and Andy Benke of Sullivans Island, SC; nephew, and Raymond Cofield, IV.
The victims and their years of service are:
*Captain William "Billy" Hutchinson, 30 years service
*Captain Mike Benke, 29 years service
*Captain Louis Mulkey, 11½ years service
*Engineer Mark Kelsey, 12½ years service
*Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 9 years service
*Asst. Engineer Michael French, 1½ years service
*Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 32 years service
*Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 4 years service
*Firefighter Melvin Champaign, 2 years service
Inscription
Loving Husband and Father
All Gave Some, Some Gave All