BROWNSTOWN
Robert “Bob” Norman Benter, age 89, of Brownstown, went to be with the Lord, on Monday, November 29, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Benter was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers. On April 1, 1956, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Wischmeier, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, where he then became a member and held numerous church offices throughout those 65 years. Robert loved his family dearly and led them by example by regularly attending church and loving God. He was most proud of his Lutheran faith and passing his love of God down to his family. One of the most important things he believed in was raising his family in the church. He led his family in devotions and singing of Christmas hymns, and he loved attending their Christmas programs.
Bob worked many long hours as a grain and dairy farmer and extended his love of all things, agriculture to tractor pulls and county fairs. He attended the Tampico Tractor Pulls every single year, and always enjoyed attending the county fair with his wife and the entire Benter family.
Robert was a member of the United States Army from December 3, 1953, to November 30, 1955, serving as an officer in Korea and Japan. He was also a charter member of the Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department, and a member and Director of Jackson-Jennings Co-op and the American Breeder’s Association. Bob served as Vice-President and agent for First Farm Mutual Insurance Agency for several years. In 1965, he was awarded Brownstown Outstanding Young Farmer.
Mr. Benter loved basketball. He loved playing and coaching basketball, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play, and he also enjoyed watching the Purdue Boilermakers play on TV. In addition, he also enjoyed the annual Benter family corn hole tournament.
Born on May 22, 1932, at his home in Seymour, Bob was the son of Gustave and Emma Darlage Benter, both of whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn Benter; one son, Kevin (Tammie) Benter of Brownstown; four daughters: Kathy (Robert) Spieker of Seymour, Karen (Marvin) Holle of Crothersville, Kay (Leon) Klosterman of Dudleytown, and Karla (Patrick) Rieckers of Seymour; 12 grandchildren: Amy (Clint) Hackman, Lisa (Travis) Price, Jill (Chad) Price, Kelly (Matthew) Klosterman, Kari (Ty) Schwade, Kim (Jacob) Florine, Mark (Jordan) Spieker, Kyle (Lydia) Benter, Kasandra (Nathan) Mack, Ryan Benter, Kayla Holle, and Derek Rieckers; 18 great-grandchildren: Charlie Hackman, Austin Campbell, Will Hackman, Emmy Price, Lindsey Klosterman, Kylie Price, Drew Price, Allison Schwade, Simon Florine, Olivia Klosterman, Trey Price, Samuel Florine, Lily Price, Abigail Schwade, Haley Spieker, Ella Price, Landon Spieker, and Kate Klosterman; one brother, Curtis (Sarah) Benter of Seymour; one sister, JoAnn (William) Brock of Seymour; one sister-in-law, Norma Wischmeier of Brownstown; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Robert was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Ella Wischmeier; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leroy and Erma Wischmeier; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Noble and Melba Wischmeier; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvin and Ruth Wischmeier; brother-in-law, Marvin Wischmeier; and brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Waldo Wischmeier, Janet Wischmeier, and Linda Schafstall Wischmeier.
Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Norman Benter will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, with Pastor Jordan McKinley officiating. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, Lutheran Central School or Donor’s Choice.
All funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc.
Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com.
