Obituary of Paul O. Benke

Paul O. Benke, 98, of Wind Gap, PA, formerly of Belvidere, NJ, passed away on Monday, August 15, 2011 at Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg, NJ. Born on March 7, 1913 in Reading, PA, he was the son of the late Theodore and Olga Benke. Paul grew up in Jackson Heights, NYC. He moved to Belvidere, NJ, in 1940 and married Elizabeth (Betty) Hill in 1943. They lived all their married life in Belvidere until Betty passed away in 2005, about 8 months after celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary on February 14. Paul moved to Wind Gap, PA, in 2006 to live with his daughter, Gayle Vogt and her husband Barry. Paul had worked at the former Celanese Corporation in Belvidere before his retirement in 1979. Previously he worked at the former Hardwick Hosiery Mill, also of Belvidere. Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who loved spending time with his family, particularly activities involving sports and outdoor recreation. He loved making jokes and saying outrageous things to children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends just to make them laugh and smile. He was an avid athlete for most of his life. He played in basketball leagues well into his 30's, played tennis until 88, and bowled in various leagues for several years at Bel-Pike Lanes in Belvidere until he was 94. He enjoyed travelling with his wife, particularly to see family and go on ocean cruises. He and Betty lived in the same house for more than 50 years, where he had many great neighbors with whom he shared his prized tomatoes. Paul was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1946 at McClellan Field, CA. He worked primarily as a surgical technician, reaching the rank of Sergeant. Paul was a member of Belvidere United Methodist Church for almost 70 years. He devoted many hours in the 1950's helping construct the Sunday school addition to the church. He was also a Master Mason of the Warren Lodge No. 13 F. & A.M., Belvidere, NJ. Paul is survived by a son, Arthur C. and his wife, Susan of Tuscaloosa, AL; a daughter, Gayle Vogt and her husband, Barry of Wind Gap, PA; two granddaughters, Meredith Benke Bell of Broome, Western Australia, and Michele Ackerman of Washington, NJ; two grandsons, Erik Benke of Portland, OR, and Scott Ackerman of Jackson Heights, NYC; three great grandchildren, Molly Bell of Broome, Western Australia, and Warren and Katarina Ackerman of Jackson Heights, NYC. Besides his wife, Paul was predeceased by his brother Albert, his identical twin brother Arthur, and his sister Clara. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Trustee Scholarship Fund, Belvidere United Methodist Church, 219 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, NJ, 07823. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Paul Benke. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences. Read Paul Benke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com.