Jimmie Lee Benedict

Jimmie Lee Benedict was born on April 28, 1936, in Kechi, Kansas. He passed away at Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital on August 3, 2019, after a yearlong battle with diabetes and cancer.

Jimmie played nose guard on the Peru High School football team, and graduated in 1954. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, served in Okinawa, and attained a high rank of corporal as a rifleman, with a second Good Conduct medal.  After the death of his first wife, Linda Hostetler Benedict, he married Carolyn Ensinger, deceased, of Flora, Indiana, in 1963. They had two sons, John Oren and Ralph Eugene, who both survive.

Jimmie delivered milk for Sutter's Dairy, and then for his friend Don Parsons of Golden Hills Dairy, on one of the last existing home-delivery milk routes. He went to work for General Tire in 1969 as a forklift operator, press operator, and union steward.  Jim was the type of person everyone could trust because of the "gentleman's agreement." His word was bonding, and all that was needed. He was a man who helped instead of asking for help. He assisted in the care of his parents and grandparents, and visited elderly relatives on both sides of his family. He was admired by neighbors, co-workers, and all who knew him.  He was a great patriot who loved watching favorite WWII movies and John Wayne movies.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two wives. He is survived by two sons, daughter-in-law Susan, granddaughter Sarah, and his special friend Patricia Thompson.

According to Jim’s boys… “Growing up, we remember the adults talking about finances.  Dad said his bank account was ‘running around in the back yard.’  They loved us so much, we were remembered with our given names on the reverse side of the headstone.  We loved him so much, we’re having a military rites funeral and a veteran’s plaque on the headstone.”

Visitation will be held from 3pm – 7pm on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  Funeral service will be held at 2pm at the funeral home on Thursday, August 8, 2019, with Pastor George McCarty officiating.  Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru, Indiana, with military service provided by the Miami County Military Rites Teams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Miami County Military Rites Team.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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