Loren B. Bensley Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Loren B. Bensley Jr., 81 of Omena, passed away Monday November 21, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Loren Bensley was born in Traverse City, MI on April 6, 1935 to Loren and Dorothy Bensley. The most important part of Loren’s life was his immediate family. He took great pride in the successes and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and he and his wife supported them in all their endeavors. Loren’s greatest wish in life was to be a good husband, father and teacher. The major influence in his life was his wife and best friend Joey, whom he married in 1958. Her understanding, encouragement and love played a major role in who he was and what he accomplished. Loren graduated from T.C. Central High School and Central Michigan University. He went on to receive a Master of Science from Southern Illinois University and a Doctor of Education from Boston University. He began his career as a high school teacher and track coach in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After three years, he returned to Michigan and became a faculty member at Central Michigan University where he taught Health Education and Health Science for thirty-three years. During that time he was a recipient of the University’s prestigious Teaching Excellence Award. He was also a consultant to the Netherlands where he helped establish a program for health care providers. In addition, he conducted research in England and Scotland. In 1976 the family lived in Germany and Crete where he taught college courses to military personnel as part of a master’s degree program offered by Ball State University. Loren took a genuine interest in others and loved family gatherings and being with friends. He was also an avid reader of local and WWII history. His favorite hobby was spending time in their barn working with wood. He and his wife spent many wonderful times restoring the Craker farm, one of the oldest houses in Omena. He was a kind person and was appreciative for all God had provided for him throughout his life. Loren is survived by his wife Joan "Joey" Cowell Bensley, his four children; Jim (Mary Kay) Bensley, Bob (Kathy) Bensley, Karie (Rich) Roman, and Bill (Monique Berry) Bensley; his 11 grandchidren; sister Jane Linden; and his dog Duke. Loren is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Jack Bensley and Nancy Sleder. Visitation will be held for Loren on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 5-7 pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 26, at 10:30 am at the Omena Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at the Omena Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Omena Historical Society or the Preserve Hickory Hills Fund. Kindly share thoughts and memories of Loren with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Loren B. Bensley Jr.

April 6, 1935 - November 21, 2016