Donald Rudolph Benjamin

Donald “Don” R. Benjamin, born July 10, 1934, passed gently the evening of June 5, 2023 with his loving wife Irene close by him. Don was youngest of 6, born in Campbeltown, IN to Raymond “Red” and Mabel (Gray) Benjamin. Don was president of the Winslow HS “Class of 1952”. After graduation, he attended college nearby and worked at Servel Inc. in Evansville. Don married Deloris “Dee” Ashby in 1953; they raised their three children in Indianapolis. When Don retired, they returned to Pike County, living in Otwell, IN until her death. During Don’s career as a journeyman electrician at Ford Motor Co. for 36 years, he and his older brother Gene met there each day proudly walking into work together. Don worked at Allison Mfg. for 2 years prior to Ford. Don met Irene (of Branson area/Table Rock Lake, Mo) in CA at the wedding of Don’s daughter Anglia to Irene’s nephew David on July 10, 1999, Don’s 65th birthday. Don and Irene married on New Years’ Day 2001, living 12 years in their new lake home secluded by dense forest on the Shore of White Oak Lake in Pike County. Don appreciated Newburgh’s history, beauty and convenience- it has afforded both Don and Irene many new friends and greater closeness with Don’s 2 older brothers Bob and Jack and families. Don’s survivors include his wife Irene, sister Patricia Howson, Petersburg, IN; sister-in-law, Anna Belle Benjamin, Avon, IN; children, Cynthia (Larry) Jackson, Franklin, IN; Michael Gene (Anita) Benjamin, Indianapolis; Anglia (David) Yancey, San Francisco and special friend-daughter Kimberly Heldt, Rossmoor, CA; Grand and Great– grandchildren Dr. Krista (Ben) Clark, Milo, Finley and Sawyer, Cincinnati, OH; Matthew, Brooke, William and Samuel Yancey, San Francisco, CA; Matt (Jill) Clark and son, Jack, Ft Wayne, IN and Kara (Justin) Baker and daughter JoJo, Indianapolis; Keri (Miles) Heaton and sons Theodore and Fox, Lafayette, CA. Don became “Papa” to the affectionate brood when the first grandchild Krista arrived. Don was close to and is survived by his brothers children, nieces, Leesa (Gary) Gates; LuAnn Licari; Andrea (Steve) Messmer, Tina (Greg) Harlowe; Teresa Gunn and niece-in-law, Joan Benjamin; nephews Steve (Jane) Benjamin; Rick (Dianna) Yancey; Ron Yancey; Michael (Dianne) Yancey; David (Anglia) Yancey and great nephew Johnathan (Mary) Benjamin. Don was preceded in death by wife Deloris (Ashby) Benjamin; his parents; his brother, Gene and brothers and wives Bob and Jean Benjamin; John and Barbara Benjamin; Jack and Betty Benjamin. A family and friends CELEBRATION OF DON’S LIFE and his 89th birthday will be held 1:00-4:00 PM, Saturday, July 8 at Epworth Community Church, 4455 Epworth Rd, Newburgh, IN (Epworth Rd & Lincoln Ave) To Zion UCC (Newburgh) Pastor Dan and flock, Thank you for being “who you are”- loving-caring friends in Christ. In lieu of flowers, Don’s family invites memorial contributions to: Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, 1741 East County Rd 75N, Petersburgh, IN 47567. Designate: “In Memory of Don Benjamin”.