Walter F. Benner, 89, of W. Co. Road 592, Tiffin, passed peacefully to eternal life Tuesday morning, November 17, 2009, at the Ohio Veterans Home, Sandusky.

He was born January 1, 1920, to Albert and Leona (Houck) Benner. He married Florence C. Lichnerowicz in Chicago on October 28, 1942.

He is survived by four sons, Walt (Marie) Benner Jr. of Scottsville, KY, Dennis (Nancy) Benner, and Richard (Tracy) Benner both of Tiffin, and Jeffery (Sandy) Benner of Toledo, six daughters, Linda (Paul) DeVanna, Rebecca (Daniel) Nedolast both of Tiffin, Patti Bramel of Bettsville, Jennifer (Thomas) Mowery, Deborah (Scott) Knettle, both of Findlay, Elizabeth Orwig and Bob Fisher of Green Springs, 28 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Virgil ‘Pete' Benner of Tiffin, Doris Weikert of Upper Sandusky and Betty Cooper of Oracle, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Florence, brothers, Louis and Herman Benner, sisters, Bernice and Catherine Benner, Margie Turner, Alma Price, Anna Babione-Wasserman, Mary Shaffer and a grandson, Christian Benner.

He graduated from McCutchenville High School in 1937. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard from October 1941 to August 1946. During his World War II Naval duty, he served as Boatswain 2nd Class Petty Officer. After his honorable discharge from the military, he worked as a millwright at Bethlehem Steel, Chicago. He returned to Ohio and was a lifelong dairy farmer for 50 years. He was a member of the National Farm Organization.

Walter was a lifelong member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, where he served as a communion distributor for 30 years. He loved gardening and the simplicity of rural farm life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Throughout his lifetime he will always be remembered as a great story teller, to his captivated audience. Of most importance to him was his love of God and family which brought him great joy and will live on in the hearts of those he has left behind.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 21, 2009 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Bascom, with Rev. Art Niewiadomski officiating. A Rosary will be prayed 15 minutes prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery with Military Graveside services conducted by the New Riegel American Legion 354.

Friends may visit with the family 2-8 PM, Friday, November 20, 2009 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH, 44883, 419-447-2424. A Christian wake service will be 7:45 PM. followed by Military wake services at 8:00 PM.

Memorial contributions can be made to Stein Hospice or the Ohio Veterans Home.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com