Jesse V. Benton Jr., 87, of Oil City, died Monday afternoon April 23, 2012, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.
Born July 21, 1924, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Jesse Vernon Benton, Sr. and Beulah Naomi Exley Benton.
Jesse grew up in the Siverly neighborhood and was known as one of the "Siverly Boys." He spent many of his summers fishing on the river; he also told many stories of his days sled-riding down the Glenview Avenue hill in the winter time.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during World War II from 1943 through 1946. He served with the 517th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and then with the 110th. He was also in the 409th Army Reserve Unit based in Franklin, and retired from there as Sergeant first class after 20 years of service.
While serving during World War II he was stationed in New Guinea, and in the Philippines on the island of Luzon. He earned decorations and citations including the American Theatre medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with one bronze star, and the Good Conduct and the Victory medal. He was stationed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Mr. Benton worked at the Oil Well Supply Company in Oil City, and at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. He then worked at Polk Center until his retirement in 1987.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City.
Jesse was a longtime member of the Bucktails Sportsmen's Club, joining in 1939 at the age of 15.
He was very dedicated and active with the Boy Scouts for the past 50 years. In 1962 he was an assistant scout leader for Troop 3 Cub pack. In 1964 he led the Webelos. He was voted into the Order of the Arrow in 1968 where he made the highest rank of vigil in 1972.
He directed the ceremonial team at Camp Coffman from 1968 to 1972.
In 1977 he became the unit commissioner, a post he held until 2012. He also served as an assistant district commissioner of the French Creek Council, where he had 13 troops and packs under his care.
He received the scout's highest honor, the Order of Merit in 1971.
In 1995, he received the Silver Beaver award, which recognized his work for the French Creek Council. He was recently honored for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts organization.
Jesse was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and the biggest joy in his life was playing card games with his children and grandchildren.
He was married Sept. 17, 1949, by the Rev. George Palmer in Grace United Methodist Church to the former Pauline J. Baker, who survives. They celebrated 62 years of marriage together.
Also surviving are six children, Gail O'Neil and husband, David, of Oil City, Charles Benton and wife, Mary Ann, of Franklin, Marie Benton of Oil City, Jan Wolfgong and husband, Tim, of Oil City, Suzie Herrera and husband, Michael, of Orange, Calif., and Jesse Benton III and wife, Lisa, of Oil City.
Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Sarah Benton of Franklin, Brianne Ashbaugh and husband, Ryan, of Franklin, Joshua and Tyler O'Neil, both of Oil City, Kyle Sweigert of Anaheim, Calif., Danielle Sweigert of Oil City, Lindsey Wolfgong of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Wesley Wolfgong of Oil City, Tehya Herrera of California, and Michalla and Mackenzie Benton of Oil City; and three great-grandchildren, Cadence, Benton, and Dominic Ashbaugh.
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Benton; a brother, Robert Benton; and three sisters, Betty Brown, Mary Ann Gigliotti, and Dorothy Howell.
Military funeral honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where interment will follow.
The Derrick: April 25, 2012
Born July 21, 1924, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Jesse Vernon Benton, Sr. and Beulah Naomi Exley Benton.
Jesse grew up in the Siverly neighborhood and was known as one of the "Siverly Boys." He spent many of his summers fishing on the river; he also told many stories of his days sled-riding down the Glenview Avenue hill in the winter time.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during World War II from 1943 through 1946. He served with the 517th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and then with the 110th. He was also in the 409th Army Reserve Unit based in Franklin, and retired from there as Sergeant first class after 20 years of service.
While serving during World War II he was stationed in New Guinea, and in the Philippines on the island of Luzon. He earned decorations and citations including the American Theatre medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with one bronze star, and the Good Conduct and the Victory medal. He was stationed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Mr. Benton worked at the Oil Well Supply Company in Oil City, and at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. He then worked at Polk Center until his retirement in 1987.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City.
Jesse was a longtime member of the Bucktails Sportsmen's Club, joining in 1939 at the age of 15.
He was very dedicated and active with the Boy Scouts for the past 50 years. In 1962 he was an assistant scout leader for Troop 3 Cub pack. In 1964 he led the Webelos. He was voted into the Order of the Arrow in 1968 where he made the highest rank of vigil in 1972.
He directed the ceremonial team at Camp Coffman from 1968 to 1972.
In 1977 he became the unit commissioner, a post he held until 2012. He also served as an assistant district commissioner of the French Creek Council, where he had 13 troops and packs under his care.
He received the scout's highest honor, the Order of Merit in 1971.
In 1995, he received the Silver Beaver award, which recognized his work for the French Creek Council. He was recently honored for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts organization.
Jesse was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and the biggest joy in his life was playing card games with his children and grandchildren.
He was married Sept. 17, 1949, by the Rev. George Palmer in Grace United Methodist Church to the former Pauline J. Baker, who survives. They celebrated 62 years of marriage together.
Also surviving are six children, Gail O'Neil and husband, David, of Oil City, Charles Benton and wife, Mary Ann, of Franklin, Marie Benton of Oil City, Jan Wolfgong and husband, Tim, of Oil City, Suzie Herrera and husband, Michael, of Orange, Calif., and Jesse Benton III and wife, Lisa, of Oil City.
Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Sarah Benton of Franklin, Brianne Ashbaugh and husband, Ryan, of Franklin, Joshua and Tyler O'Neil, both of Oil City, Kyle Sweigert of Anaheim, Calif., Danielle Sweigert of Oil City, Lindsey Wolfgong of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Wesley Wolfgong of Oil City, Tehya Herrera of California, and Michalla and Mackenzie Benton of Oil City; and three great-grandchildren, Cadence, Benton, and Dominic Ashbaugh.
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Benton; a brother, Robert Benton; and three sisters, Betty Brown, Mary Ann Gigliotti, and Dorothy Howell.
Military funeral honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where interment will follow.
The Derrick: April 25, 2012
Jesse V. Benton Jr., 87, of Oil City, died Monday afternoon April 23, 2012, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.
Born July 21, 1924, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Jesse Vernon Benton, Sr. and Beulah Naomi Exley Benton.
Jesse grew up in the Siverly neighborhood and was known as one of the "Siverly Boys." He spent many of his summers fishing on the river; he also told many stories of his days sled-riding down the Glenview Avenue hill in the winter time.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during World War II from 1943 through 1946. He served with the 517th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and then with the 110th. He was also in the 409th Army Reserve Unit based in Franklin, and retired from there as Sergeant first class after 20 years of service.
While serving during World War II he was stationed in New Guinea, and in the Philippines on the island of Luzon. He earned decorations and citations including the American Theatre medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with one bronze star, and the Good Conduct and the Victory medal. He was stationed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Mr. Benton worked at the Oil Well Supply Company in Oil City, and at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. He then worked at Polk Center until his retirement in 1987.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City.
Jesse was a longtime member of the Bucktails Sportsmen's Club, joining in 1939 at the age of 15.
He was very dedicated and active with the Boy Scouts for the past 50 years. In 1962 he was an assistant scout leader for Troop 3 Cub pack. In 1964 he led the Webelos. He was voted into the Order of the Arrow in 1968 where he made the highest rank of vigil in 1972.
He directed the ceremonial team at Camp Coffman from 1968 to 1972.
In 1977 he became the unit commissioner, a post he held until 2012. He also served as an assistant district commissioner of the French Creek Council, where he had 13 troops and packs under his care.
He received the scout's highest honor, the Order of Merit in 1971.
In 1995, he received the Silver Beaver award, which recognized his work for the French Creek Council. He was recently honored for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts organization.
Jesse was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and the biggest joy in his life was playing card games with his children and grandchildren.
He was married Sept. 17, 1949, by the Rev. George Palmer in Grace United Methodist Church to the former Pauline J. Baker, who survives. They celebrated 62 years of marriage together.
Also surviving are six children, Gail O'Neil and husband, David, of Oil City, Charles Benton and wife, Mary Ann, of Franklin, Marie Benton of Oil City, Jan Wolfgong and husband, Tim, of Oil City, Suzie Herrera and husband, Michael, of Orange, Calif., and Jesse Benton III and wife, Lisa, of Oil City.
Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Sarah Benton of Franklin, Brianne Ashbaugh and husband, Ryan, of Franklin, Joshua and Tyler O'Neil, both of Oil City, Kyle Sweigert of Anaheim, Calif., Danielle Sweigert of Oil City, Lindsey Wolfgong of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Wesley Wolfgong of Oil City, Tehya Herrera of California, and Michalla and Mackenzie Benton of Oil City; and three great-grandchildren, Cadence, Benton, and Dominic Ashbaugh.
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Benton; a brother, Robert Benton; and three sisters, Betty Brown, Mary Ann Gigliotti, and Dorothy Howell.
Military funeral honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where interment will follow.
The Derrick: April 25, 2012
Born July 21, 1924, in Oil City, he was the son of the late Jesse Vernon Benton, Sr. and Beulah Naomi Exley Benton.
Jesse grew up in the Siverly neighborhood and was known as one of the "Siverly Boys." He spent many of his summers fishing on the river; he also told many stories of his days sled-riding down the Glenview Avenue hill in the winter time.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during World War II from 1943 through 1946. He served with the 517th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and then with the 110th. He was also in the 409th Army Reserve Unit based in Franklin, and retired from there as Sergeant first class after 20 years of service.
While serving during World War II he was stationed in New Guinea, and in the Philippines on the island of Luzon. He earned decorations and citations including the American Theatre medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with one bronze star, and the Good Conduct and the Victory medal. He was stationed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Mr. Benton worked at the Oil Well Supply Company in Oil City, and at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. He then worked at Polk Center until his retirement in 1987.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City.
Jesse was a longtime member of the Bucktails Sportsmen's Club, joining in 1939 at the age of 15.
He was very dedicated and active with the Boy Scouts for the past 50 years. In 1962 he was an assistant scout leader for Troop 3 Cub pack. In 1964 he led the Webelos. He was voted into the Order of the Arrow in 1968 where he made the highest rank of vigil in 1972.
He directed the ceremonial team at Camp Coffman from 1968 to 1972.
In 1977 he became the unit commissioner, a post he held until 2012. He also served as an assistant district commissioner of the French Creek Council, where he had 13 troops and packs under his care.
He received the scout's highest honor, the Order of Merit in 1971.
In 1995, he received the Silver Beaver award, which recognized his work for the French Creek Council. He was recently honored for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts organization.
Jesse was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and the biggest joy in his life was playing card games with his children and grandchildren.
He was married Sept. 17, 1949, by the Rev. George Palmer in Grace United Methodist Church to the former Pauline J. Baker, who survives. They celebrated 62 years of marriage together.
Also surviving are six children, Gail O'Neil and husband, David, of Oil City, Charles Benton and wife, Mary Ann, of Franklin, Marie Benton of Oil City, Jan Wolfgong and husband, Tim, of Oil City, Suzie Herrera and husband, Michael, of Orange, Calif., and Jesse Benton III and wife, Lisa, of Oil City.
Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Sarah Benton of Franklin, Brianne Ashbaugh and husband, Ryan, of Franklin, Joshua and Tyler O'Neil, both of Oil City, Kyle Sweigert of Anaheim, Calif., Danielle Sweigert of Oil City, Lindsey Wolfgong of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Wesley Wolfgong of Oil City, Tehya Herrera of California, and Michalla and Mackenzie Benton of Oil City; and three great-grandchildren, Cadence, Benton, and Dominic Ashbaugh.
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Benton; a brother, Robert Benton; and three sisters, Betty Brown, Mary Ann Gigliotti, and Dorothy Howell.
Military funeral honors will be accorded by the VETS Honor Guard at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where interment will follow.
The Derrick: April 25, 2012
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