Warren F. BENNER

Warren F. Benner Railroad Enthusiast and Ex-Quarryman, Dies at 87, Warren F. Benner of Rising Sun, MD, went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2003. Born in Churchtown, PA, he was the son of the late Mary Styer Benner and the late William Wert Benner. He was the beloved husband of Martha J. Eberly Benner. In addition to his wife, Mr. Benner is survived by his sister, Ruth Grosscup of Abington, PA; a daughter, Susan E. B. Ferrone and husband, Werner, of Abingdon, MD; a step-daughter, Mary Jayne Blocher of Lutherville, MD; a step-son, Haines Willis Oatman and wife, Donna, of Severn, MD; 1 grandchild and 8 stepgrandchildren. Mr. Benner enjoyed traveling, railroading, steamboating, gardening, music, poetry, and visiting with family and friends. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Mr. Benner was an avid railroader. He was one of 24 railroad enthusiasts who restored the Strasburg Rail Road in 1958, where he served as Conductor, Vice President, Treasurer, member of the Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Benner enjoyed train travel and train photography. He and his wife, Martha, traveled across the States and much of Canada on a variety of trains and rail excursions. He was a Member of the Rough and Tumble Engineers Association, Member and Past President of the National Railway Historical Society - Lancaster Chapter, Lifetime Member of the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Member of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, and Member of the National Rail Passengers Association. Mr. Benner was also employed for 47 years as a Sales Representative by D. M. Stoltzfus & Sons, Inc., a quarry company in Maryland and Pennsylvania. In this job, Mr. Benner developed many friendships in Harford County, on the Eastern Shore, and throughout Maryland. An honest and friendly man who thoroughly enjoyed people, Mr. Benner was very well-liked. He was a Lifetime Member of the Harford County Contractors Association, the County Engineers Association of Maryland, a Lifetime Member of the Maryland Association of Engineers, and a member of the Newcomen Society of the United States. Mr. Benner was also a partner in the entity of Shaw, Landis and Benner, an excavating company in Pennsylvania, where he served as treasurer. Mr. Benner was a past Member, Deacon, Elder, and Treasurer of the Reformed Church of Center, Pennsylvania. He was currently a member of West Nottingham Presbyterian Church where he had served in many ways including as a Sunday School Teacher, Elder, and Trustee. Visitation will be held at the R. T. FOARD FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 111 S. Queen Street, Rising Sun, MD, 21911 on Wednesday, August 27, from 7-9 pm. Additionally, visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, from 10-11 am at West Nottingham Presbyterian Church followed by a funeral service at 11am officiated by the Reverend Barry Gray. Interment will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Quarryville, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Benner's name to the Northern Chesapeake Hospice Foundation or the West Nottingham Presbyterian Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. R.T. FOARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND CREMATORY (410)658-6030 www.rtfoard.com