Richard J. Bensman, 86, 33 E. Third St., Minster, died at 12:48 p.m. May 21, 2008, at his residence.

He was born March 26, 1922, in Minster, to Louis and Caroline Lampert Bensman. On Dec. 15, 1945, he married Marianna Gerwels, who died April 21, 2006.

Survivors are three sons, Chuck (Mary Jo) and Jim (Deb), all of Minster, and Richard Jr., Cincinnati; seven daughters, Connie (Ed) Sanders, Carol (Ralph) Fleckenstein and Mary Jane (Curt) DeLoye, all of Fort Loramie, Kathy (Ed) Schroer, Conroe, Texas, Nancy (Roy) Tompkins, Paignton, England, Patty ( Kurt) Warner, New Bremen, and Susan (Mike) Burns, Greenville; a sister, Dorothy Smith, Minster; 30 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a sister and her husband, Ruth and Joseph Buschur; and two grandchildren.

He worked at the former I.E. Industries, Minster, Ace Wholesalers and Dist., Sidney, was owner and operator of Bruckens Bar, Fort Loramie, editor and photographer at Minster Community Post and worked in the circulation department of the Dayton Daily News. A U.S. Marine Corp veteran, he was a member of the American Legion in Fort Loramie and Minster and the Fort Loramie and Minster fire departments. He also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and on the board of Public Affairs, all of Minster. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and its cemetery board, the Minster Civic Association, an honorary member of the Minster Boy and Girl Scouts and the Future Farmers of America, and an officer of the Buckeye Boy and Girls State Association.

Funeral Mass is 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Rick Nieberding officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery with full military honors by the Minster and Fort Loramie Firing Squads.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to Wilson Hospice Care.