Joseph Carroll Benninghoff

Joseph Gary Carroll was born November 4, 1931 in Longview, Washington, to George Herbert Carroll and Verna (McKee) Carroll. When Joe’s father died in 1934, he and his mother moved to Jefferson, Oregon, where they lived with his maternal grandparents, Joe and Edna (Magness) McKee. When Joe’s mother married Howard Leonard Benninghoff in 1937, he took his stepfather’s last name.

Willamette University graduation in 1953 (Masters Degree 1964) followed high school graduation in 1949 from Washington High School, Portland, Oregon. Joe worked intermittently as a clerk for Pierce Freight Lines from 1948 to 1964. After teaching two years in Drain, Oregon, he began his employment in 1958 with Salem-Keizer Public Schools. He taught social studies for nine years at South Salem High School. He then transferred to the District personnel department, retiring in 1987. Active professionally in local, state and national personnel organizations, he was national president of AASPA (American Association of School Personnel Administrators).

Joe joined the Methodist Church in 1942 and was a member of that denomination the rest of his life. He led an adult Bible study class at Morningside United Methodist Church for many years.

On July 14, 1955, Joe married Edith Nell Wheeler in Mannheim, Germany. Their three daughters are Marsha (David) Eckelman, Newport, Oregon, Barbara Benninghoff, Missoula, Montana and Sally (Brig) Walton, Portland, Oregon. Also surviving are grandsons, Brian (Lydia Myers) Eckelman, Albany, Oregon and Kevin (Gwen Shaw) Eckelman, Portland; great-granddaughters Emily and Aubrey Eckelman, Albany, Oregon; and brother Paul (Pat) Benninghoff, Tigard, Oregon.

Memorial Celebration of Life will take place at 1:30pm on November 4th, Joe’s 90th birthday. It will be held at Morningside United Methodist Church, 3674 12th St SE, Salem, OR 97302. Live streaming will be available for those not able to attend in person.

Donations may be made to Morningside United Methodist Foundation, Salem Public Library Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the Benninghoff family.