John Benya

John Benya, 89, of Ottawa Township, died Sunday, December 17, 2006, at the Veteran's Home at Quincy, Illinois. Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with the Rev. Gerald J. Meyer officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Ill., with full Military honors. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gladfelter Funeral Home with liturgical prayers at 6:30. Mr. Benya was born June 24, 1917 in Sharon, Pa to Michael and Catherine (Vavrek) Benya. He married Elizabeth Ernat, February 22. 1945, in Granville, Ill. She died August 17, 1957. Mr. Benya farmed in Ottawa and Utica Twp., and a member of the La Salle County Farm Bureau. He served in the CCC and served in the U. S. Army during World War II in the European Theater. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 33 of which he was a member for 62 years, and a member and past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2470. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ottawa. He is survived by two daughters, Joan (Larry) Bernabei of Ottawa Twp. and Marilyn (John) Irmis of Westmont, Ill.; a son, Michael Benya of Ottawa Twp.; two grandsons, Mark (Jessica) Bernabei and Matthew (Beth) Bernabei both of Ottawa Twp.; two great grandchildren, Joseph and Lilliana Bernabei; two sisters, Helen Hammon of Hemet, Calif. and Margaret Holmes of Hermitage, Pa.; and a brother, George (Geri) Benya of Farrell, Pa. He was preceded in death by nine siblings. Pallbearers will be Mark and Matthew Bernabei, Pat O'Brien, Dan Grooms, Ryan Holcman and Ben Dolder. Memorials may be directed to the Illinois American Veteran's Guest House at Quincy, 1707 N. 12th Street, Quincy, IL 62301-1355.