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Arliss Benham Obituary

Arliss Ruth Benham Born on July 13, 1920 to Arthur and Myrtle (Hazzard) Wakeman in Bangor, MI, Arliss Ruth Benham died on July 13, 2009, her 89th birthday, at the Kairos Dwelling Home in Kalamazoo, MI. She graduated from Bangor High School, as class valedictorian, and also graduated from the North Central Bible Institute of Minneapolis, MN. In 1980 and at 70 years of age, she retired from the Kellogg Company as Consultant of Consumer Affairs and was at that time, the company's oldest working employee. An organist/pianist for over 60 years, she played for a number of churches including the First Baptist Churches in Minot, ND, Coldwater, MI, and Battle Creek, MI. She also played for the Battle Creek Bible Church. In June of 2006, and at the age of 86, she retired as the pipe organist for St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Battle Creek. Arliss Benham loved God, her family, and her church and was dedicated to serving God through her gift of music. She is survived by one daughter, Diann (James) Danhoff, Gull Lake, MI and one son, Dr. John (Merridee) Benham, Jr., Blaine, MN; seven grandchildren, Emily Fairbanks, Joshua Sattler, Dr. Stephen (Kris) Benham, Melody (Scott) Ivester, Dr. Todd (Tirza) Benham, PJ (Lisa) Danhoff, Jayne (Erik) Sabaitis; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Thomas, Grandbury, TX; several nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Ella and Jake. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Roselyn Crandall, South Haven MI. At the request of family members, friends may call Thursday from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek, MI. A Service of Thanksgiving to honor Arliss' life will be held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, MI 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2009. Memorials may be made to: Kairos Dwelling Home, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, Music in World Cultures, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church or a charity of one's choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Battle Creek Enquirer on Jul. 15, 2009.

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6 Entries

penny springer

July 21, 2009

her is going to be miss by all she play the organist for i like her playing want she play from battle creek bible chruch it was like god was there too.

Carlene Clements

July 16, 2009

Our world has lost a beautiful Christian lady, but it's Heaven's gain. We had a Bible study group together over 30 years ago at Kellogg's and Arliss was a great inspiration and blessing to me. I'll always remember her here, and see her again later.

David Ashbolt

July 15, 2009

My deepest sympathies to the family at the loss of a fine Christian woman. As a fellow organist, it was my pleasure to know Arliss for many years both as a friend and musician. Her talents and service to God were widely known, and she touched many lives over the years with her music and through Christian fellowship.

July 15, 2009

It was my pleasure to hire this wonderful lady as our organist at First Baptist Church, Battle Creek. We became very close friends and I found her to be a treasured friend and a very strong, caring woman. I am sure our Chancel Choir will never forget the delicious food she prepared for us amd all the fun we had. My prayers are with her wonderful family. May our heavenly father wrap his arms around you and give you peace.

Pat Miller
Moderator, FBC/BC

Scott White

July 15, 2009

Good bye to a Grand Lady. It was a honor to know you.

Laura Hirleman

July 15, 2009

I had the honor of collaborating with Arliss at St. Paul Lutheran Church. We shared our gifts of music with the congregation and had a grand time doing so. She was a great lady and she will be greatly missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to Arliss's family.

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