John Lewis Benard

John Lewis Benard, of Metropolis, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at the age of 85.

 John was born on March 12, 1934, in Metropolis, IL, to Herman and Mary Walbright Benard. He enlisted in the Army in 1954 and was stationed in Arlington, VA, where he was a corporal in the Military Police. On November 30, 1956, he married Alice Schulte. After leaving the Army, John and Alice moved to Metropolis, where they raised two daughters, Brenda and Bonnie. John was an avid foxhunter his whole life and spent hours around a campfire listening to his dogs run foxes. John was baptized at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in 1973 and volunteered there with transportation for residents from the nursing home and cooking fish at the fish fry. John was a devoted family man. He always remarked that as a grandfather it was his obligation to spoil his grandkids. He retired from Allied Chemical (Honeywell) where he had worked as a payroll officer for over 40 years.

 John was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; his parents, Herman and Mary; his brother, James; and his sister, Mary Lou Wilcox.

 He is survived by his daughters, Brenda (Randy) Becker of Las Vegas, NV, and Bonnie (Rick) Grace of Metropolis, IL; his brother, Glen; his sister, Sylvia Pace; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

 A rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home followed by visitation from 6 -8 p.m. There will be additional visitation time at the church before mass beginning at 10 a.m.

 A funeral mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on East 3rd Street in Metropolis on July 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Father Michael Mujule officiating. Burial will follow in the Metropolis Memorial Gardens with military rites.

 If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.

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