SHERBURNE – Donald E. Bensley, 86, formerly of Chenango Ave., passed away Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford.
He was born March 22, 1924 in Earlville, a son of Harvey F. and Jennie A. Ewins Bensley. Don was a graduate of Earlville High School in 1940 and was a charter member of the American Legion Boys‚ State Program. Don proudly served in the U.S. Army 86th Infantry Division during World War II from 1945 to 1946. Following his discharge he worked in construction for a short time before going to work for the Moses & Cronk Feed Store in Deansboro as the store manager. Moses & Cronk was bought by GLF. In 1959 Don was transferred as manager to the Sherburne GLF store, which later became the Sherburne Agway. He retired in 1986 after 38 years of service.
On August 5, 1944, Don married Ethlyn I. “Peg” Gale in the Kirkville United Methodist Church. They made their home in Earlville and later Waterville before moving to Sherburne in 1959. In 1991, they left upstate New York for Lake Havasu City, Ariz., moving back to Sherburne in 2003. Peg predeceased him on Oct. 28, 2006.
Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sherburne. He was a life member of the American Legion Post #876 of Sherburne, and a former 50-year member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Don was also an Honorary Member of the Sherburne Rotary Club, having received two Paul Harris Fellowships. He was also a member of the London Bridge Rotary Club and enjoyed helping with the annual commemorative coin sale. Don was a member of the Lake Havasu Community Choir and also sang in the choir at St. Michael’s UMC.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Charles Jones of Lake Havasu City, AZ; sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Suzanne Bensley of Sherburne; Douglas and Janet Bensley of Proctorsville, VT; David and Diane Bensley of Earlville; Richard and Kathryn Bensley of Whitney Point; sister-in-law, Shirley Bennett of Sherburne; 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a brother, Gerald Bensley; a sister, Helen Osborne; a granddaughter, Katie Bensley; and a great-grandson, Joshua Somers.
Memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Sherburne at a later date and time to be announced, followed by interment with military honors in the Poolville Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 556, Sherburne, NY 13460.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online, go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.