Obituary of Fred C. Benton

Fred C. Benton, Jr., 77, of 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA, formerly of Merrick, NY, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday morning, March 31, 2010 at Pleasant View Retirement Community in Manheim. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Fred C. Benton, Sr. and Elsie Berggren Benton. He was the husband of the late Carolyn E. Creveling Benton who died February 24, 2010. They were married for 48 years. Fred was raised in Bay Ridge, NY and graduated in 1950 from Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn. During the Korean War, he served in the United States Navy form 1952-56. He earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Columbia University Teacher's College. He was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years in the Freeport School District on Long Island, NY. He also enjoyed teaching English as a second language. Fred served as a choir director and organist in various churches over the years, especially in his church, the former Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in Melverne, NY, where he also served as a deacon. After moving to Manheim in 2002, he continued to share his gift of music during Sunday worship services at Pleasant View. He also continued to work with children at the after-school program at Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. Fred was an avid New York Mets fan. He will be long remembered for his devoted faith in Jesus Christ and to his family. He used his life to impact children and used his musical talents to serve Christ and others. He is survived by two sons, Gary E., husband of Nancy J. Dunn Loeffler, of East Brunswick, NJ, and Peter T., husband of Linda E. Lervik Benton, of Elizabethtown, PA; four grandchildren, Stephen and Kaitlyn Loeffler, and Amanda and Jonathan Benton. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Benton Seibert. Family and guests are invited to attend his funeral service on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Hoffer Auditorium at Pleasant View Retirement Community, 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545. Private interment will be in Chiques Cemetery, Manheim. The family will receive guests at Hoffer Auditorium on Saturday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. If desired, contributions may be made to the benevolent fund of Pleasant View Retirement Community. To leave a message of condolence or to view a webcast of the service, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.