Henry Benco, 81, Enjoyed making jewelry, knives and working in his yard and garden

Henry "Hank" Benco, age 81, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, died Thursday, July 22, 2004 at his residence there while under the care of Hospice.

Born December 12, 1922 in Cambridge, Ohio, he had lived in Altamonte Springs, FL for the past 17 years, coming from the Lorain and Amherst areas. During World War II, he had served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Watertender aboard the USS Ranger, USS Conway, USS Hecuba and the Enoree. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 9 Stars, the American Theatre Ribbon, the American Defense Ribbon and the European-African Ribbon. His tour of duty lasted a little over 6 years.

He worked at Ford Assembly Plant in Lorain in maintenance for 28 years, before retiring in 1984. Prior to that he worked at the former Lorain Shipyards, and the former Fisher Body Plant in Cleveland.

He was a former-member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst, and was a member of U.A.W. Local #425 in Lorain. He enjoyed making jewelry, knives and working in his yard and garden.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years- Evelyn (nee-Kacsmar) Benco; 4 daughters- Sandra Waters and Diane Oleen, both of Lorain, Nancy Knott of Dublin, Ohio and Andrea Varelas of Parma Hts., Ohio; 4 sons- Charles of Lorain, Larry of Kokomo, IN, Terry of Casselbery, FL and Mark of Altamonte Springs, FL; 12 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 1 brother- David of Westlake, OH; 2 sisters- Pauline Esterle of Amherst and Ruth Gallopoli of Henderson, Nevada; Numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents- Andrew and Mary (nee-Smeyak) Benco; and 2 brothers- John and Andrew.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 26, 2004 from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M., in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain, where services will be held on Tuesday, at 12:30 P.M., with the Rev. Gary Bernath, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp. V.F.W. Post 451 of Lorain will conduct full graveside military rites.