John A. Bensman

RUSSIA, Ohio - John A. Bensman, age 59, of Russia-Versailles Road, Russia, Ohio, passed away suddenly of natural causes at his residence late evening Dec. 26, 2013.

He was born June 13, 1954, in Coldwater, Ohio, to Virgil and Mildred (Gehret) Bensman of Versailles.

On Nov. 28, 1974, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick, John married Marian (Holthaus) Bensman who survives. Also surviving are three children: Ann and Chad Delaet of Russia, Suzanne and Brad Grilliot of Versailles, and John E. Bensman of Osgood; seven grandchildren: Emma, Casey, Levi and Weston Deliat, Isaac, Taylor and Reed Grilliot: eight siblings: Shirley and Walter Broering of St. Henry, Jerome and Marilyn Bensman of Versailles, Irene and John Bruns of Maria Stein, Mary Jane and Lester Homan of New Bremen, Steve and Deborah Bensman of Versailles, Theresa and Philip Heitkamp of New Bremen, Marlene and Steven Puthoff of Versailles, Carl and Kathy Bensman of Versailles, and sister-in-law, Teresa and Bill Gariety of Wapakoneta; father-in-law, Bernard Holthaus of McCartyville, sisters and brothers-in-law: Rosie and Marvin Albers of McCartyville, Bernard and Bobbie Holthaus of Sidney, Dorothy Inman of Masa, Ariz., Marlene Overly of Duluth, Ga., Carol and Larry Voisard of Fort Loramie, Frederick Holthaus of Anna, Richard and Deb Holthaus of Anna, Patricia and Mark Wahl of Celina, Rita and Allen Wente of Minster, Treva and Rick Monnier of Tipp City, Mark and Sharon Holthaus of Fort Loramie, William and Deb Holthaus of Fort Loramie, Gerald Holthaus of Anna, Margaret and Jerry Gepfrey of Anna, and Robert Holthaus of Anna.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Michael Bensman, mother-in-law, Ruth Holthaus, stepmother-in-law, Mary Langenkamp Holthaus, and a sister-in-law, Ann Holthaus.

John was the founding owner and operator of John Bensman Tree Trimming since 1982. Previously, he had been employed 23 years at Clopay in Russia. He also served as a Loramie Township Trustee. John was a member of St. Remy Catholic Church and had been a past member of the St. Remy Knights of Columbus. John enjoyed attending estate auctions and camping where tractors and other antiques might be for sale or just on display. He had a particular passion for collecting and rebuilding antique Case tractors.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Remy Church in Russia with Rev. Frank Amberger presiding. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call Monday 2 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie. Memorials may be made to the Houston Rescue Squad or Russia Fire Department. Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com