Howard Francis Benway

Howard Francis Benway, 96, of Raymore, Missouri died at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Born on January 25, 1920 in Strawn, Illinois to Oscar E. and Gertrude Rudolph Benway, he married Anamary Rudolph on August 27, 1948 in Champaign, Illinois. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2009. He is survived by one brother, Roger (Marjorie) Benway of Edwardsville, Illinois, one sister-in-law, Barbara Benway of Springfield, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, three brothers and two sisters-in-law preceded him in death: Donald (Kathleen), Russel, and Glen (Ruby).

After graduating from Strawn Community High School in 1938, Howard enlisted in the Army at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois for the machinist's course. After completion, he was retained as an instructor and worked his way up to Senior Master Sergeant and Plumbing Shop Foreman during his last year at Chanute. Immediately preceding that assignment, he was NCOIC of the Metal Processing Specialist Course in the Chanute Technical School. He retired from the United States Air Force in May of 1962 after more than 23 years of service. Early in his career, he was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico for a short time and at Anchorage, Alaska in the early 1950's.

Howard earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois in June of 1968 and a Master of Science in Education in June 1970 also at SIU. He then moved to Kansas City, Missouri and took the position of Machine Tool Technology Instructor at the Kansas City Technical Education Center from 1971 to 1981. During that time, they moved to Belton, Missouri where they built a home.

Howard was a man of many interests and could speak intelligently about a myriad of topics. He enjoyed metal work, hunting, fishing, gun collecting, reading, politics and history. In the early 70's (way before Ancestry.com), he undertook the project of researching the Benway family lineage. That task included writing hundreds of letters and following the resulting leads to construct a family tree which he published in 1976. He had a keen sense of humor and a constant twinkle in his eye.

His one true love, however, was Anamary. They were married for 61 years yet their relationship seemed very young. Their life together was full of love, respect, and laughter. They would share a joke, a smile, he would tease her about one thing or another and then you'd hear her laugh. There's no doubt he's been lonely these past few years without her; now they're together again.

A private burial will occur at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.