Donald J. Bench
– November 2, 2015
Donald Bench
Donald J Bench, 93, passed away Monday, November 2, 2015, in Sun City Center, Fla.
Don was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Fred and Clara (Rothacker) Bench. The family moved to Brockway, Pa., where Don grew up. He graduated from Brockway High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he studied at the University of Toledo, graduating with a degree in Engineering.
He married Ellenor Pioch in 1950 in Toledo, where their children Marcia and Bill were born. In 1958 the family moved to Holland. They joined Zion Lutheran Church, where Don was part of the planning committee for the educational wing, and also served for some time as financial secretary and council member.
Don’s business career included Junior Engineer at Willys-Overland Motors in Toledo, Ohio; Chief Engineer and President at Conrad Inc., of Holland, Mich.; founder and CEO of Russells Technical Products of Holland, Mich. He retired from Russells Technical Products in 1990 and continued as their CEO Emeritus.
Don was an avid golfer. He was instrumental in forming the West Michigan Golf Association. During his retirement years, he was active at the Caloosa Golf Club in Sun City Center, and enjoyed planning golf events.
Preceding Don in death was his wife Ellenor; brothers Howard and Robert Bench; and sister Jeanette Hampton.
Survivors include his wife Trudy Coleman Bench of Sun City Center; children Marcia and Richard Pfahl, and Bill and Sue Bench; grandsons Rick and Jennifer Pfahl, Dan and Amy Bench, and Jim and Kimberly Bench; great-grandchildren Max Bench and Maggie Bench, all living in Michigan.
A memorial service was held Nov. 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holland.
On Sunday, December 6, a memorial moment will be observed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, during the 10 a.m. worship service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Donald J Bench, 93, passed away Monday, November 2, 2015, in Sun City Center, Fla.
Don was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Fred and Clara (Rothacker) Bench. The family moved to Brockway, Pa., where Don grew up. He graduated from Brockway High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he studied at the University of Toledo, graduating with a degree in Engineering.
He married Ellenor Pioch in 1950 in Toledo, where their children Marcia and Bill were born. In 1958 the family moved to Holland. They joined Zion Lutheran Church, where Don was part of the planning committee for the educational wing, and also served for some time as financial secretary and council member.
Don’s business career included Junior Engineer at Willys-Overland Motors in Toledo, Ohio; Chief Engineer and President at Conrad Inc., of Holland, Mich.; founder and CEO of Russells Technical Products of Holland, Mich. He retired from Russells Technical Products in 1990 and continued as their CEO Emeritus.
Don was an avid golfer. He was instrumental in forming the West Michigan Golf Association. During his retirement years, he was active at the Caloosa Golf Club in Sun City Center, and enjoyed planning golf events.
Preceding Don in death was his wife Ellenor; brothers Howard and Robert Bench; and sister Jeanette Hampton.
Survivors include his wife Trudy Coleman Bench of Sun City Center; children Marcia and Richard Pfahl, and Bill and Sue Bench; grandsons Rick and Jennifer Pfahl, Dan and Amy Bench, and Jim and Kimberly Bench; great-grandchildren Max Bench and Maggie Bench, all living in Michigan.
A memorial service was held Nov. 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holland.
On Sunday, December 6, a memorial moment will be observed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, during the 10 a.m. worship service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Macular Degeneration Foundation.