Richard Delbert Benz, 78, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., formerly of Marion, died of pneumonia Sept. 1, 2006, in a Gulf Breeze hospital. Memorial services were held Sept. 4 at First United Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze and will also be held 11 a.m. Oct. 21 at Fairview Church of the Brethren in rural Unionville, Iowa. The Rev. Carl Heien will officiate. His body was cremated; burial will be at a later date.

Survivors include his loving wife, Joan M. Benz; son and daughter-in-law, Raleigh and Jody Benz; daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and James David Chaisson and Debra and Ed Benz-Buccholz; brothers, the Rev. Ray Benz and LaVern Benz; sisters, Mary Eckiss, Doris Culbertson and Lela Belle Alden-Wilson; stepdaughters and sons-in-law, Dalene and Mark Lindstrom and Jodi and Jean Schoettlin; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Violet Benz, Edna Benz, Mrs. Henry Benz and Mrs. James Benz; and brother-in-law, Paul Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Anna (Erickson) Benz; his first wife, M. Jeane Benz; young son, Richard D. Benz Jr.; and brothers, Carl, James, Lee, Henry, Glenn and Gerald Benz.

Mr. Benz was born in Udel, Iowa on Sept. 1, 1928. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He married M. Jeane Metz on Aug. 19, 1949. His career consisted of many aspects of education until his retirement in 1991.

Over the years, he taught in a one-room schoolhouse, was a high school teacher and elementary school principal at the Nashua, Marion Independent, Linn-Mar and Waterloo school districts; and a Title I Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He was a Mason. He was a past president of the Marion Noon Lions Club and a member of the Altoona Lions Club.

He married Joan M. Fox on Feb. 12, 1978. Upon retirement they moved to the Northwest Florida area. His continuing love for children and education led him to be active in the Optimist Club and volunteer in the second grade reading program at Oriole Beach Elementary School. He also served on the Children's Board at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, where he was a member.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Church of the Brethren, RR, Unionville, IA 52594.

He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Source: The Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette, Friday 29 September 2006, Page 4B.