Clarence J. Ben Benkoski, 72, formerly of Ripon and now residing in Oshkosh, died January 4, 1994, at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, WI.
He was born May 10, 1921, in Ripon, the son of the late George and Kathryn (Kobelinski) Benkoski. He attended schools in Ripon and was a self-employed contractor. On July 27, 1946, he married Beulah Hyde. Clarence served in the Air Force from 1941 until 1945, as flight officer of the 435th Troop Carrier Group and as a glider pilot in France and Germany. Ben was a member of St. Raphael Church in Oshkosh, past member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Omro and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Ripon.
Ben is survived by his wife, Beulah; two daughters, Karen (Wayne) Witz of Menasha and Jean (David) Augsburger of Oshkosh; one son, Lynn (Donna) Benkoski of Greendale; and five grandchildren, Lisa and Brian Witz, Lesley, Daniel and Amy Benkoski. He is also survived by two brothers, Stanley (Florence) Benkoski of Ripon and Leonard (Francis) Benkoski of Oshkosh and one sister, Kathryn (Gordon) Jenks of Ripon. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 10 am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Ripon. Reverend William Toelle and Dan Felton will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery in the Town of Ripon.
Friends may call from 4 until 7 pm Friday, January 7, 1994, at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon. A prayer service will be held at 7 pm at the funeral home.
Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send on-line condolences.