Clarence Norton “Babe” Benedict
October 28th, 1936 - March 1st, 2022
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Babe's Obituary
Clarence Norton “Babe” Benedict reached the end of this wonderful life on March 1, 2022 at the age of 85.
Born on a farm in Torpedo, PA on October 28, 1936, Clarence was the 6th child of Charley and Bertha (Eastman) Benedict. He was quickly given the nickname Babe, as he was expected to be Charley and Bertha’s last child, and it stuck with him throughout his life, even as three more siblings followed.
Babe spent his childhood working on the family farm with his 8 brothers and sisters. After graduating from Youngsville High School, Babe worked a couple of jobs before being drafted to the Army as an armored scout in 1958. He was trained in Fort Hood, TX alongside Elvis Presley, before being deployed to Germany. In Germany, he was stationed to guard the East/West German border and considered himself lucky to never face active combat.
Upon returning to the United States, Babe married the love of his life, Loretta Wozneak. The pair met at the Kane Moose Club during a Frankie Yankovic polka dance. Before the dance, Babe told his friend he would ask the prettiest girl in attendance to dance with him. He quickly picked out Loretta, and the decision to dance with her led to a beautiful, loving 61-year marriage, three sons and four grandchildren.
The pair raised their sons on a small farm in Lottsville, PA. Babe worked for Truck-Lite for many years before retiring as a plant manager. Following his retirement, Babe and Loretta moved to St. Joseph, MI to be closer to two of their sons and their grandchildren. There, they owned and operated Accomplished Quilting, Inc.
Our family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Babe always had a project to work on, ranging from running Babe’s Country Drive In (an ice cream stand he and Loretta put on their farm) to planting sunflower seeds. He had a love of all things that grew and planted many trees throughout his life. Most notably, he planted a silver maple for his and Loretta’s 25th wedding anniversary so they could watch their love grow. Today that tree stands very tall and large. Babe loved to laugh and was one of the kindest men to walk the earth. He will be greatly missed.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Loretta Benedict; his sons, Jeffrey, Douglas (Kim) and Mark Benedict; his grandchildren, Erin, Ian, Kevin, and Molly Benedict; his siblings, Laverne Benedict, Lee Benedict, Clara Saxton, Roy Benedict, and Ruth Hagg; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Bertha Benedict and his siblings, Allen Benedict, Lewis Benedict, and Dora Dygan.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring, details to be shared at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Bear Lake Fire Department or St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Corry, PA. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family are requested to send mail to each individual or may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Born on a farm in Torpedo, PA on October 28, 1936, Clarence was the 6th child of Charley and Bertha (Eastman) Benedict. He was quickly given the nickname Babe, as he was expected to be Charley and Bertha’s last child, and it stuck with him throughout his life, even as three more siblings followed.
Babe spent his childhood working on the family farm with his 8 brothers and sisters. After graduating from Youngsville High School, Babe worked a couple of jobs before being drafted to the Army as an armored scout in 1958. He was trained in Fort Hood, TX alongside Elvis Presley, before being deployed to Germany. In Germany, he was stationed to guard the East/West German border and considered himself lucky to never face active combat.
Upon returning to the United States, Babe married the love of his life, Loretta Wozneak. The pair met at the Kane Moose Club during a Frankie Yankovic polka dance. Before the dance, Babe told his friend he would ask the prettiest girl in attendance to dance with him. He quickly picked out Loretta, and the decision to dance with her led to a beautiful, loving 61-year marriage, three sons and four grandchildren.
The pair raised their sons on a small farm in Lottsville, PA. Babe worked for Truck-Lite for many years before retiring as a plant manager. Following his retirement, Babe and Loretta moved to St. Joseph, MI to be closer to two of their sons and their grandchildren. There, they owned and operated Accomplished Quilting, Inc.
Our family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. Babe always had a project to work on, ranging from running Babe’s Country Drive In (an ice cream stand he and Loretta put on their farm) to planting sunflower seeds. He had a love of all things that grew and planted many trees throughout his life. Most notably, he planted a silver maple for his and Loretta’s 25th wedding anniversary so they could watch their love grow. Today that tree stands very tall and large. Babe loved to laugh and was one of the kindest men to walk the earth. He will be greatly missed.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Loretta Benedict; his sons, Jeffrey, Douglas (Kim) and Mark Benedict; his grandchildren, Erin, Ian, Kevin, and Molly Benedict; his siblings, Laverne Benedict, Lee Benedict, Clara Saxton, Roy Benedict, and Ruth Hagg; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Bertha Benedict and his siblings, Allen Benedict, Lewis Benedict, and Dora Dygan.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring, details to be shared at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Bear Lake Fire Department or St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Corry, PA. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family are requested to send mail to each individual or may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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