William Bening

William W. Bening, 103, born June 22, 1905, formerly of Okawville, Ill., died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Adele Tepe Bening, who he married May 6, 1928, at Olive Branch Lutheran Church in Okawville. She passed away April 5, 1994.

Also preceding were his parents, John and Emma Sachtleben Bening; three brothers, Otto (Agnes) Bening, George Bening and Paul (Ruth) Bening; five sisters, Mary (Ted) Wiehe, Emma (Harry) Tepe, Lydia (Melvin) Rennegarbe, Martha Bening, and Irene (Gerhardt) Haake; nephews, Martin and Leonard Bening, and Melroy Rennegarbe; and son-in-law Clyde L. Voelkel.

He is survived by a daughter, Elverna Voelkel of Belleville; three sons, Wayne Bening of Cape Girardeau, Norbert (LaVerne) Bening of Okawville, and Dennis (Carolyn) Bening of Jefferson City, Mo.

Bening is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Cheryl (Mike) Wiedman of Indianapolis, Denise Voelkel of Belleville, Debbie (Rob) Penzel, Susan Niswonger, John (Tammy) Bening, Joe (Shelly) Bening, all of Jackson, Gary Bening of Aurora, Colo., David (Kay) Bening of Addieville, Ill., Kathy Bening of Okawville, Jill Bening of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Jenny (Randy) Zimmer of Fulton, Mo.

Also 11 great-grandchildren, Carly and Mariel Wiedman, Josh Penzel, Erika, Blake, Tyler and Jacob Bening, Emily and William Bening, Zachary and Adeline Zimmer; two great-stepgrandchildren, Steve Tooley and Natasha Jarden; two great-great-stepgrandchildren; several nieces, nephews, his church family and a host of friends.

Bill was a retired farmer with a preference for Allis Chalmers tractors. He was a member of Olive Branch Lutheran Church, where he held many offices. He served on the local farm elevator board, and after retirement was active in the Okawville Community Club. He could always be counted on for help with any events in the community park and enjoyed his friends and fellow card players at the Washington County Senior Center.

Until his recent illness, he was a resident of Rosewood Care Center in Swansea, Ill., where he enjoyed playing bingo and cards with his special card playing buddy, Harry Blank.

The funeral was held Nov. 30 at Olive Branch Lutheran Church in Okawville, with the Rev. Hans Trinklein officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Campagna Funeral Home of Okawville was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Olive Branch Lutheran Church, KFUO or charity of the donor's choice.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.