Gerald Lee Benjamin

    Jerry was born in Lansing, MI on June 1st, 1943 to Lyle and June Benjamin.  Soon after his birth, the family moved, which included a big brother (Paul) to Saranac.  That was where Jerry went to elementary school, and after his parents built the “Midway Motel” near the M66 and old US16 crossroads, they moved to the motel where Jerry then attended the Coon Country School.  During those years, many lasting friendships would be made.  He always had a warm feeling in his heart for all the people he knew from the “Corners”.  He did the usual things that little boys did; played baseball, football, and hockey, and always had dogs to love.

Jerry graduated from Ionia High School in 1961 and started college at Michigan State University. It was during those years that he met a girl that grew up only about two miles away from his home, but never knew because she went to Lakewood High School. She was a waitress at Sessions Restaurant on weekends, and he worked part time at Blacks Standard gas station. It wasn’t long before Ruthie was “topping off her gas tank” several
times a week until he asked her out. Two weeks after her high school graduation, they were married on June 12, 1964. They were given an old farmhouse to fix on her dad’s farm where they settled into marriage. Unfortunately, after 3 years, Uncle Sam sent a draft notice, and Jerry was Private 1st Class Benjamin in the US Army. He had his boot camp at Fort Knox, KY, and then went to Fort Lee Virginia, where Ruthie joined him, and spent the next year having lots of fun and meeting great new army friends. In October of 1967, Jerry was sent to Vietnam. Due to his excellent typing skills, he landed a semi-safe job in “Data Processing”. It was always a joke in the Benjamin family. His sons would ask him, “Dad, how did you get wounded in the war? He would tell them how one morning when the Viet Cong bombed the ammo dump next to his base, he was eating breakfast and as all the soldiers jumped up to dive for cover, hot scrambled eggs burnt his arm. We always teased him about this, but we still were very proud. He came home with Sgt. Stripes and a Bronze Star because of his courageous and outstanding duty to his country.

    Jerry started working for the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company.  He began his career with the Ionia store as manager.  Shortly after, their first son, Curtis, was born.  About two years later, a second son, Chris, arrived.  Jerry was a very good father, taking his sons to his store a lot over the years.  Ruthie, Jerry, and their boys traveled the United States on vacations having great times.

Jerry’s job with Sherwin Williams was more than a job to him. He poured his heart and soul into it, making his stores very successful. In Ionia,
he always had a faithful sidekick; his assistant manager, Fritz Strautz; working along side him. Ruthie could always tell when Fritz had a day off, because Jerry would pick on her when he got home. She would always say “You didn’t get your quota of picking on people today, did you”. Fritz and Jerry had bonded like brothers to this day. After 16 years at the Ionia store, he transferred to the Battle Creek store and worked with many wonderful people there too. He always cared so very much for his employees.
Jerry loved bowling, having bowled since he was around 12 years old. He was on bowling teams when he was 16 years old. Over the years, he made many special friends through bowling. He was a past president of the Ionia Bowling League, as well as past president of the Ionia Bowling Association. He just plain lived for bowling.
He also golfed for many years on a league at the Portland Country Club. He was very proud of the two Hole-in-Ones that he had.
Jerry had the fortune of traveling with Ruthie over the years, going to Europe and several places across the US. He won three trips from Sherwin Williams, and enjoyed the “First Class” travel that they provided.
Jerry was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2003. He fought a good battle, receiving chemo and the resulting nausea and pain. He never gave up and never complained
Six weeks ago, Jerry and Ruthie traveled to California, where he spent two weeks with his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Judy Benjamin. While there, he attended the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament, and played golf at the “Trilogy” course, where a few weeks before, the Pro Skins Game was held with Tiger Woods. He enjoyed being with his brother and seeing the sunshine every day.
On Thursday, February 16, 2006, Jerry died at home with his loving wife holding his hand. He may be gone, but is not forgotten.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Gerald L. (Jerry) Benjamin aged 62 of Saranac passed away peacefully February 16, 2006 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 1, 1943 in Lansing the son of Lyle and June (Curtis) Benjamin. He married Ruth Desgranges June 12, 1964 in Lake Odessa. He was a Sgt. in the Army during the Vietnam war. Gerald was currently employed by Sherwin Williams for the last 35 years starting in Ionia and later in Battle Creek. He was a member of Berlin Center Church. He was an avid bowler and President of bowling Association and League. He also enjoyed golfing at the Portland Country Club.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of forty one years Ruth Benjamin of Saranac; sons Curtis and Rachel Benjamin of Grand Rapids, Chris Benjamin and girlfriend Greta Sibert of Ionia; brother Paul and Judy Benjamin of California; sisters in law, Paula and Merv Carter of Lake Odessa, Diane and Lyle Denny of Saranac; brother in law, Bernard Wilfong of Paw Paw; granddaughters, Abigail, Naomi Benjamin of Grand Rapids; several nieces, nephews and his beloved dog Miss Kitty Emma. He was preceded in death by sister in law Dianna Wilfong, mother and father in law Paul and Frieda Desgranges.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday at Lake Funeral Home in Ionia with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Interment Woodland Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family Sunday 2-4 and 7-8:30 PM at the funeral home. You may make memorial contributions in Gerald’s name to Berlin Center Church or McKenzie Animal Sanctuary in Clarksville.

US ARMY 19TH DATA PROCESSING UNIT, USARV