Robert J. Benton's Obituary
Robert "Bob" J. Benton, age 77, of Dagsboro, DE, passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, August 16, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 18, 1932 in Baltimore, MD, son of the late John W. and Mildred (Mitchell) Benton.
Mr. Benton grew up in South Baltimore and was a graduate of Southern High School. He was All American at Southern and was nick-named "Bird-Footed All-Star." Following high school he served with the U.S. Navy for 4 years as an aircraft engine mechanic; he was on active duty during the Korean War.
He married Patricia Willard and lived in Woodlawn, MD for 20 years and in McDaniel, MD for another 20 years. He was employed by C&P Telephone Company for 35 years and then by Corsica Telecom before retiring to Dagsboro, DE in 1999. Bob was always ready to lend a hand and contributed a great deal of time and effort in the construction of his church, Peninsula Community Church. He was "Mr. Personality" who had a quick wit and enjoyed watching others smile.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Patricia; 5 children: Regina and husband Dave Hogsten of Catonsville, MD, Loretta and husband Richard Warfield of Frankford, DE, Robert Benton of Chestertown, MD, Mary-Christine and husband Michael Wood of Frankford, DE and Steven and wife Michelle Benton of Ocean View, DE; 16 grandchildren: Laura and husband Damon Costantini, Brandon and wife Holly Wood, David Hogsten, Cpl USMC, Kyle Warfield, Melinda Warfield, Katie Benton, Erin Wood, Ben Warfield, Steven Benton, Christopher and wife Emily Hogsten, Kristen Benton, Ryan Wood, Max Benton, Matthew Hogsten, Kimberly Benton, and Carolyn Benton; 2 great-grandchildren: Zachary Costantini and Ethan Costantini. His surviving brothers are John Benton and Paul Benton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson Craig Wood and his sister Rosemary Haspert.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 12, 2009, 2:00 P.M., at Peninsula Community Church, 28574 Cypress Road, Selbyville, DE. Interment will be private at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Peninsula Community Church, ATTN: Children's Ministry, 28574 Cypress Road, Selbyville, DE 19975 (www.caringbridge.org) or VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713 www.vitascharityfund.org
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ocean View, DE (www.parsellfuneralhomes.com)
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