John Bensman

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

He was born June 13, 1954, in Coldwater, 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 Delaet, 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; 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 Mesa, 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, Dec. 31, 2013, at St. Remy Church in Russia with the Rev. Frank Amberger presiding. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Friends may call Monday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Houston Rescue Squad or Russa Fire Department. Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.