Arnold Benes

Arnold James Benes Port Huron - Arnold James "Arnie" Benes, 85, died Thursday, April 26, 2007 in Port Huron following a lengthy illness. He was born July 5, 1921 in Detroit and has lived in the blue water area for the past 20 years. He served his country in the U. S. Army Air Corps attached to the 1095th Signal Battalion serving in North Africa, Sicily, Northern Italy and Germany. After his discharge from the army, he graduated from Lawrence Technological University with a degree in Business Administration. Arnold was proudly employed with the Detroit Edison company from 1941 through 1986. He retired after 45 years of service. At the age of 40, he was the youngest company officer that Detroit Edison ever had. Over the years he performed numerous volunteer and civic duties including elder and treasurer of the Southfield Presbyterian and Kirk in the Hills Churches. He was also involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sarah Fisher Home, United Way Foundation and the Martha Jean Ministries. He was a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, Port Huron Golf Club, SAE and the Institute of Internal Auditors. Arnold enjoyed freighter watching on his beloved St. Clair River, bowling, golf, shuffleboard and in his earlier years, softball, badminton, tennis and volleyball. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Benes of Port Huron; his children, Cynthia (Frank) Howland of Northville, David Benes of Port Huron, Christine (Mark) Driscoll of Cincinnati, OH, Carol (Fred) Durst of Metuchen, NJ and Jane (Steve) Denton of Duluth, GA; grandchildren Jennifer Linart, Sarah Lowe, Emily Howland, Thad and Ann Driscoll, Elizabeth and Will Durst and Layne and Trevor Denton; great-grandchildren, Luke and Kelly Linart and Henry Lowe. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, Bloomfield Hills. The Rev. Raymond B. Knudsen, II will officiate. Visiting hours are 3-7 p.m. Sunday at Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and Monday 1 p.m. until the service time at church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.