Kenneth R. Benson, age 86

January 26, 1939 - May 9, 2025

Kenneth R. Benson, age 86 of Olney, Illinois, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Helia Healthcare in Olney, Illinois.

A graveside service will be held at at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Haven Hill Memorial Gardens in Olney, Illinois. Arrangements are under the care of Meyer Funeral Home in Olney. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

Kenneth was born on January 26, 1939, in Clay City, Illinois, the son Gilbert and Edna Eileen (Yauch) Benson. Kenneth married his wife Frances on January 13, 1990, in Olney, Illinois.

Kenneth was born in a log cabin in Clay City, Illinois, and as a young boy, worked with his grandfather, removing bark from trees. He did several jobs in his youth including baling hay and working at Valley Steel. Kenneth moved to Colorado where he lived for several years. His greatest job he had was working being a police office on the Springfield, Colorado police force. He later moved to Kansas, where he worked for the State of Kansas Department of Transportation on the Bridge Crew. He retired back to Olney, Illinois.

Kenneth is survived by:
His wife Frances Benson of Olney, Illinois
daughter Brandie Sue Patterson of Olney, Illinois
stepdaughter Regina Gay (Robert) Ross of Flora, Illinois
brother Gary Wayne Mayhill of Sterling, Colorado
half-sister Sheryl (Dave) Klingler of Olney, Illinois
7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Gilbert Benson and Eileen Mayhill, brother Jim Benson, sister-in-law Mary Benson,
brother Dennis Lee Mayhill, stepson Kelly Harrison and granddaughter Lauren Patterson.