Howard 'Monk' Benson, 85, of Ohioville, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley, Beaver.

Born September 4, 1929, in Ohioville, he was a son of the late Howard A. and Gladys McDole Benson, and was a resident of Ohioville all of his life. He retired from Crucible Steel, Colt Industries, Midland after more than twenty years. Howard previously worked at Midland Lumber Yard prior to serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and after formal retirement from Crucible he went on to work at various hardware stores throughout Beaver County. He was a member of the Green Valley United Methodist Church, Shippingport and had previously worshipped at the Midland United Methodist Church. Howard was a former member of the Ohioville Volunteer Fire Department, had helped develop the Western Little Beavers Baseball Fields, was a volunteer with the Salvation Army, and a member of the YMCA Water Volleyball Group.

Preceding him in death, besides his parents, was his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Mihlbauer Benson on March 15, 2010; a sister, Geraldine Lewis, and an infant great-granddaughter.

He is survived by two daughters, Cynthia L. Metzler, and her husband, John, Jr., of Industry, and Candice Benson Scelp and her fiancé, Brian Westenberger, of Kure Beach, NC; a son, Howard R. Benson, Ocala, FL; six grandchildren, John III, and his wife, Emily Metzler, Joshua, Cynthia Metzler, Joy, and her husband, Jim Dinsmore, Gregory and McKenna Scelp, and three great-grandchildren, Ava and John Metzler IV, and Joshua Straile.

Friends will be received Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 3 p.m. until time of service at 6 p.m. in the NOLL FUNERAL HOME INC., 333 Third St., Beaver. The funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Susan Pickering. Private interment will be at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions may be made, if desired to the Salvation Army, 34 First Street, Midland, PA 15059.

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