Delbert L. Benedict (1931-2014)

Delbert L. Benedict, age 82 and a resident of Bristol, WI, passed away peacefully Friday, September 19^th, 2014 at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 15^th, 1931 in Kenosha, he was the eldest son of the late Elmer L. and Roxy J. (Cox) Benedict.

He was educated in the schools of Bristol and Kenosha, graduating from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1949.

He married Iris Strouf on May 9, 1981.

Delbert was self employed as an area farmer for most of his adult life and was part of Kenosha’s farmers markets for many years, beginning at the age of 7 with his father. He also spent time trapping mink and muskrats (as well as the occasional skunk) as a young man. Known as “The Popcorn Man” for many years, Delbert began attending farmers market on a regular basis in 1960 and enjoyed talking with the customers and the other farmers. He retired from farming in the fall of 2013 after which he enjoyed spending time with family, taking a trip to Iowa to see where the guys from American Pickers “hide their stuff” and visiting with friends and neighbors. Everyone loved and respected Dad for the way he treated everyone he encountered and how he lived his life. He stayed true to his principles while treating everyone with kindness and love.

He is survived by his children Bradford (Jan) Benedict of Rockford, IL; Lawrence Benedict of Witchita, KS; Sharon Parker of Delavan, WI; Patricia (Bradley) Coddington of Bristol, WI; Clint (Sally) Strouf of Kenosha, WI; Maryann (Mike) Whitley of Booneville, MS; Jean (Tom) Turner of Booneville, MS; Carol (Paul) Taylor of Memphis, TN; Julie (Larry) Barrett of Iuka, MS and his grandchildren Michael Valentine, Timothy Parker, Brandon Thompson, Sherry (Rusty Sorenson) Strouf, Cindy Anderson, Jason (Deanna Hall) Whitley, Jennifer (Chris) Downs, Amy (Hunter) Dawson, Jeramy (Rebecca) Turner, Dale (Laura) Turner, Todd (Rhonda Williams) Turner, Kyle Turner, Ryan (Sara Raymond) Taylor, Joshua Taylor and Tyler Floyd. He is further survived by his brother, Bruce (Jean) Benedict of Grantsburg, WI and his sister, Shirley (John) Davidson of Bristol, WI.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Iris Benedict and his daughter Susan Valentine.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 27^th 2014 at 2:00PM at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 10239-136^th Avenue. (HWY U) in Bristol. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday at the church from 11:00AM until the time of services. Burial will follow at North Bristol Cemetery on HWY 50. All of Delbert’s friends who would like to drive a tractor in the procession from the church to the cemetery are welcome and encouraged to do so.

In lieu of flowers memorials to the church would be appreciated.