John J. Bene

John Bene' Passed away peacefully, Saturday October 8, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. Born in Mascoutah, Il. and living in Joliet most of his life. He spent much of his life in the health insurance business, and received numerous achievement awards. He was active in the Knights of Columbus at Council 382 and 12014 and the 4th degree Assembly #0204. He was a founding board member of the Housing Foundation of Will County, which provided the building for the Daybreak Center, serving as treasurer on the executive committee for most of those years. He received the Victor Cardosi Knight of the Year award from the Illinois Knights of Columbus, and the Daybreak Volunteer of the Year award from Joliet Catholic Charities and the De LaSalle award from Lewis University. He was active at St. Paul's as a Eucharistic minister, lector and a member of the horticultural committee. Preceded in death by his parents Henry and Louise, brothers Henry and Edward, sisters Mary, Lorita, Margaret and Ann. His loving memories will live on in the surviving family members; he was a devoted husband of 54 years to his beautiful and loving wife, Ruth (Kuenstler), and patriarch to 7 loving children Chris (Dorie), Bobbie (Mike) Mulholland , Jerold, Michele (Ken) Schuman, Patrick (Vicki), George(Lisa), and Henry (Wendy); 19 grandchildren Christopher, Michael, Megan, Thomas, Daniel, Rachel, David, Matt, Robert, Beth, Tiffaney, Jessica, Zachary, Jacques, Olivia, Sophie, Henry, Jack and Owen; and great grandchildren Simone, Brianna, Hayden, and Kyler, Jestin, and Dreden. Also survived by sisters Dorothy, Helen, Theresa, Florence, Rose and brother Paul. Funeral from the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, Tuesday October 11, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Visitation Monday 4-8 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Joliet Area Community Hospice