Pete Bensyl

Loren "Pete" Bensyl 87, of Ogden passed away with his family by his side at 6:30 P.M. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M.Tuesday March 21, 2023 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 802 E. Douglas Street, St. Joseph. Pastor Dennis A. Meyer will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Freese Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Pete was born April 8, 1935, in Ogden, Illinois as one of eleven (11) children between the marriage of Ora and Bessie (Bradley) Bensyl. He married his beloved wife Constance "Connie" Cribbett at St. John's Lutheran Church, Royal, on April 17, 1959.

He is survived by his wife Connie, sons Kenneth (Susan) Bensyl, Fredrick (Trini) Bensyl, grandchildren Erin Bensyl, Cole Bensyl, Ty Poole, Tegan (Parker) Poole, great grandson Kendall Bensyl, and many nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, daughter Kelly Bensyl, and siblings Mary, LaVisa (Jayne), Pauline, Norma Jean, Ora, Vance (Jack), Don, LaVern, Roy, and James.

Pete graduated from Ogden High School in 1953 and later enlisted in the United States Army as a reservist at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He began his employment with the University of Illinois in September 1962 and joined the Krannert Center staff in March of 1969 where he was a Building and Operating Engineer. He was the recipient of the Chancellor's Distinguished Staff award in 1993, was granted several promotions, and retired as Krannert Center's Facility Manager in April 1996, dedicating nearly 34 years of service. After retirement, he continued to work part time to oversee several renovation projects in the building. Pete also was an active member at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph where he volunteered for twenty (20) years.

As a season ticket holder for over fifty (50) years to the Illinois basketball and football games, he found joy in attending the games with his wife and grandchildren. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Pete and Connie enjoyed many summers camping at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet where he served as a board member at the Champaign Sportsmen Club. They spent many winters in Vero Beach Florida where he ensured he partook in his daily laps in the pool. It was rare to see him without a smile and we could always count on him for an ornery joke or comment. While he accomplished many things throughout his life, his greatest achievements were found through his dedication as a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, as he loved his family dearly. His legacy will carry on with us forever. 

Peace has been found within our family as we know The Holy Spirit unites us with Christ and through Him with the Father in His everlasting Home. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all whose expressions and helpful deeds of sympathy meant so much at the time of our loss. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Prince of Peach Early Learning Center. 

Condolences may be left at Freesefh.com

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