A Talk About My Closest Brother:
     As I was rolling over in my mind what to write, I re-read what Buddy wrote about our brother Jim last Thanksgiving when he went home to be with the Lord.  The title sounded really good so I give total copy rights to Buddy - but somehow I don't think he would mind even if I did not.
     I'm going to keep it basic for there would be too many pages to even summarize.
     My brother Walter William Benner II was a man after God's own heart.  I can see him much like King David humming songs, hymns and spiritual songs in his heart to the Lord.  He served Jesus Christ unshamefaced and wasn't afraid to venture out and stretch himself in the Lord.  One of my favorite memories is when Barbara and I had visited several times and he would always have Barbara bless the meal for she was the elder.  The last time Barbara told him to bless the meal for he was the man, head of the home.  At that point he belted out the most beautiful grace from his heart you ever heard and it was not the traditional grace prayer family is used to hearing.  I thought the kids were going to have a cow.  But one quick glance up and he had control.  It was hard not to giggle  not at his prayer, but at the reactions from the kids! 
     Buddy lived a life of service.  He served in the United States Army to keep us free and I am one who doesn't take that lightly; I am grateful.  But the most important of all, he served Christ.  He didn't just go to church  he walked Jesus out in his life that all who met him, met Christ.  He left an undying legacy of humility and service to the Bride of Christ  us And for that I believe Jesus waited till just the right bride came along for my brother Bud.  The precious of all loves, Terry Benner, who dearly and most preciously LOVED my brother: his physics and mathematical brain and all!   She bore his children and raised them with reverence and class.  Terry, stood by my brother as he opened his home to my mom's final days.  Terry deserves a gold garment when we get home for that one because my mom, well we are in church, let's say she could be a stinker And finally, day and night she selflessly cared for him gently and lovingly till the moment he left her hand and Jesus got him by the hand.  My brother was blessed to have you Terry  know that in your deepest parts.
     Walter William Benner Sr. left us all a legacy.  Through Christ we have eternal life and in Christ alone.  And though these words are penned with tears; we do not grieve as others grieve who have no hope.  Our hope is in the Lord.  He wanted us all to know a personal relationship with Christ above all and that's how he lived his life  showing Jesus.
     I was blessed to see Bud before 2016 ended and we had such a good time.  He didn't talk much anyway to me so we communicated just fine.  I got to clip and clean his fingernails and toe nails and wash his feet  he didn't know the blessing that was to me.  And if that wasn't cool enough  Buddy let me cut his hair!  I love scissors and hair!   I didn't tell him till I was all done and got his approval, but then I said Well Buddy, I did a great job and didn't even have my glasses on!  He giggled and so did I.  I am thankful for those memories.
     But see one day  real soon, for me I hope, I will see my big brother again.  The Benner clan has a great cloud of witnesses that have gone on before us.  And if I am not called first  One day the Trumpet of God shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise first and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and Wherefore shall we ever be with the Lord.  Comfort one another with these wordsTherein lies my comfort and I pray it is yours too.
     Lastly as a man of God, Bud had great and meek power to speak over people, especially his children and grandchildren.  The bible tells men to speak over/bless their families, with godly leadership, affirmative godly words.  I would think he would want me to encourage his family and friends to speak words of life over your beloved.  He was the last older brother and godly example to speak God's Word into and over my life those precious blessings of Christ.  That sadness is bone grinding to my heart.  But I can't leave these words about my eldest brother on a sad note
     So hear ye the Word of the LordWhere I go, there I will prepare a place for you and where I am there ye shall be also.  Jesus Himself said that.  One day my precious family we WILL see him again.  We will see all our loved ones again and I can hardly wait.  I can say for me  even so, come Lord Jesus.  But if He tarries, in the midst of this, I will make up my mind and choose to rejoice that one sweet day we will see him again.
     Again I say comfort one another with these words.
Agapeo,
Jackie Benner
Baby Sister


Good morning.

Thank you all for coming this morning to Our Lady of Lourdes Mass honoring Walter Benner.  On behalf of those who were unable to attend, I deliver their condolences to his family and friends.

Walt was a very special person.  God blessed him and thus our parish for bringing him here in 1981.  He was needed, and his presence will be deeply missed.

As you know, Walt started the bingo games here in our Hall on Monday and Thursday nights.  They were very successful, so successful in fact, that after St. John the Evangelist on Yamato Rd. was built, they wanted to start bingo at their parish to raise money.  Walt kindly went over there to help them, show them the ropes, so to speak.  We stopped bingo on Thursday nights so St. John could have a bingo night.  Walt didn't have to go over there and do that!  But that's the kind of man he was; kind, caring, gentle, and willing to help!

A former bingo helper once told me that if someone had forgotten to do any of the shopping required for the kitchen on that bingo night, Walt did not throw a tantrum, have a hissy-fit, or get up-set.  He quietly and calmly said, "Okay, I'll go right now and get everything."  And he did!  End of problem!  And that's the kind of man Walt was; kind, caring, gentle, and willing to help!

But he wasn't just involved with Bingo.  He was also in the original Men's Club, which preceded the Knight's of Columbus, and thus became a Knight.  He was asked by Msgr. O'Shea to be a Eucharistic Minister and Lector, and take Communion to the home-bound. At one point, he even cantored with the choir.  His service to our parish did not end there.  He did many other good deeds throughout his many years with us.  Yes, he was always kind, caring, gentle, and willing to help.

Because of these attributes, when it came time tor him to retire from Carpenters Contractors of America, the company wanted to honor him.  After several discussions it was agreed to build a garden here at the church.  Mary's Garden, in front of the church, was built to honor Walt.  If you haven't seen it, I suggest that after Mass you stop by and take it in.  It is quite beautiful.

All this time, he was also a family man; husband to Terry, father to Amy, Anne, and Christine, and then a grandfather.  Kind, caring, gentle, and willing to help.

Walter Benner, a man who will be missed for a long time by all here at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

May he rest in peace and let pertpetual light shine upon him.

I have many memories of Uncle Buddy and where would one start or end....

He was a strong, quiet, prayerful man and compassionate person.  An earth angel for our Lord!

When he would come home to Grandma & Poppy's house for holidays, birthdays or something special; I was HAPPY to see him.  Then he meet Aunt Terry.  Then here came Amy then Anne and when all was thought to be done raising a family.  Here comes Christine.  22 years and 1 week from eldest Grandchild to the youngest.

It was great to share the expansion of the family.  Then you moved to Florida which made it difficult to visit, go apple picking however seeing his garden was always exciting.

On one visit.  I made dinner and while sitting down for dinner my son Walt was messing with his little cousin Alex.  I said 'Walt do you want to go to your room?' Aunt Terry said ' Why are you talking to your Uncle by his first name!'  I replied ' I am sorry, I was speaking to my son.' Which Walt's reply was 'In Illinois?' 

We looked at each other and laughed.

Uncle Buddy said, 'If I didn't know better; I would say that my Grandmother was sitting here with us.' A special moment for me.

It was great when we went to church together, which reminded me of going with Poppy.  

How our lives have intertwined over time barriers to make these moments of memories.

Even Though we are stretched across the world; we find time to stay connected via phone, internet, skype or snail mail.

He always stayed connected with his siblings.  Now that the list is growing smaller just remember we will all be together in heaven.

I feel that with the Grandparents, Parents,Uncles:  Butch, Jerry, Jim and Buddy with all the cousins are having a great gathering/family reunion in heaven.  How exciting that is for him, since it is welcoming home party.  I am sure that Poppy is HAPPY to have his boys back again... farming, hunting, fishing and tending to the animals. Plus golf.

I will miss you until we meet again!!

Luv ya Uncle Buddy!!

My prayers for Aunt Terry, Amy, Anne, Christine and their families are to comfort them to know he is a whisper away.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Uncle Walt was always kind and welcoming to us. He was passionate about his family and faith. We know he is at peace now and will pray that eventually knowing that will give you some comfort.

Rest in peace to the most honest, kindest, loving, and patient man.  Your unwavering love of God, your brilliant mind, your loyalty to family, your volunteer service to the church and those in need, your impeccable manners, and love of science, math, classical music, and horticulture will always stay with me.  You will be deeply missed.  Walter William, it has been an honor to have you as my father.

In the past few days I have been thinking a lot about Walter and reflecting about him.
I started to think how I would describe him to a person that never met him before.
I would probably use words such as:
Kind
Honorable
Humble
Honest
Smart
I would tell this person how much he loved his wife Terry. 
They were married for almost 50 years.
Every time that they were together he would always be holding her hands or hugging her
I remember that he would always give her a good night kiss before he left the room to go to bed
If I had to describe Walter to a person that never met him before I would tell this person how much he cared about his 3 daughters Amy, Anne, and Christina
He did everything he could to make sure that they were happy
I would tell how much he also loved his Grandkids Andrea, Eric, Christopher and Jonathan  
He was so happy when he met his grandson Jonathan for the first time couple of months ago
He was also a great Father-in-Law to me, Eric, and Jeremy 

If I had to describe Walter to a person that never met him before I would tell this person about his Garden
He loved to spend time on his garden
He had all kinds of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the garden
When we all got together to cook dinner he would always have fresh herbs and vegetables for us
I would tell how much he loved being part of his church 
He ran the bingo for over 30 years
He helped with Mass 
Sometimes he would go to Mass multiple times in one day
He was a devoted Christian, and the Church was his second home
If I had to describe Walter to a person that never met him before I would tell this person how smart he was
He was able to talk intelligently about any type of subject like arts, science, biology or anything else
He loved to read, and he always mentioned interesting articles that  he was reading
He was a quiet person but when he talked he always had some brilliant to say.
If I had to describe Walter to a person that never met him before I would tell this person that even though we are all very sad today because Walter is no longer with us, we should also feel happy today  because we were lucky  to know him and be part of his life.  

Thanks


Walter was a beautiful man. He had a peaceful aura about him. Having Walter as a Brother Knight is one of the things that made me proud to be Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 11241 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. He was a role model to others with his quiet elegance. Walter will be greatly missed. May God Bless all of the Benner family and may the solace that he is resting and his soul is with the Lord be a comfort.

I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with Walt for many years at CCA, and he was such a wonderful, kind and gentle man. He loved his family very much. My prayers are with you all.

I am so sorry for your loss, Walt will truly be missed. My prayers are with you all.

My condolences for your loss to Terry and family. Walt was one of the nicest men I have had the pleasure of knowing.

OBITUARY

Walter William Benner Jr.

February 16, 1937 – April 28, 2017

Babione Funeral Home

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