John A. Bensman, 59, Russia, passed away suddenly of natural causes at his residence late Thursday evening, Dec. 26, 2013.

He was born June 13, 1954, in Coldwater, to Virgil and Mildred (Gehret) Bensman of Versailles. On Nov. 28, 1974, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick, he was married to Marian (Holthaus) Bensman, who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Ann (Chad) Delaet, Russia, Suzanne (Brad) Grilliot, Versailles, and John E. Bensman, Osgood; seven grandchildren, Emma, Casey, Levi and Weston Delaet, and Isaac, Taylor and Reed Grilliot; eight siblings, Shirley (Walter) Broering, St. Henry, Jerome (Marilyn) Bensman, Versailles, Irene (John) Bruns, Maria Stein, Mary Jane (Lester) Homan, New Bremen, Steve (Deborah) Bensman, Versailles, Theresa (Philip) Heitkamp, New Bremen, Marlene (Steven) Puthoff, Versailles, Carl (Kathy) Bensman, Versailles; sister-in-law, Teresa (Bill) Gariety, Wapakoneta; father-in-law, Bernard Holthaus, McCartyville; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rosie (Marvin) Albers, McCartyville, Bernard (Bobbie) Holthaus, Sidney, Dorothy Inman, Mesa, Ariz., Marlene Overly, Duluth, Ga., Carol (Larry) Voisard, Fort Loramie, Frederick Holthaus, Anna, Richard (Deb) Holthaus, Anna, Patricia (Mark) Wahl, Celina, Rita (Allen) Wente, Minster, Treva (Rick) Monnier, Tipp City, Mark (Sharon) Holthaus, Fort Loramie, William (Deb) Holthaus, Fort Loramie, Gerald Holthaus, Anna, Margaret (Jerry) Gepfrey, Anna, and Robert Holthaus, Anna.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Michael Bensman; mother-in-law, Ruth Holthaus; stepmother-in-law, Mary Langenkamp Holthaus; and a sister-in-law, Ann Holthaus.

He was the founding owner and operator of John Bensman Tree Trimming since 1982. Previously, he had been employed 23 years at Clopay in Russia. He also served as a Loramie Township trustee and was a member of St. Remy Catholic Church and had been a past member of the St. Remy Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed attending estate auctions and camping where tractors and other antiques might be for sale or just on display. He had a particular passion for collecting and rebuilding antique Case tractors.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Remy Church in Russia with the Rev. Frank Amberger presiding. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday from 9-9:45 a.m. at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Houston Rescue Squad or Russia Fire Department.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.