Joseph E. Benak

Joseph Edward Benak, 93, of South Range, formerly of Rio, passed into the arms of our Lord October 25, 2019. 

Joe was born in Chicago IL, to Vincent and Barbara Benak, where his family owned and operated Benak’s Fruits and Vegetables. As a teenager, Joe and his family moved to Scottville MI to try their luck at farming. With hard work and determination, Joe became a skilled, self-taught, farmer. It was there that he met the love of his life, Antoinette Balcavage. Joe and Toni married and settled in MI where they had 4 children. They moved to Florida in 1963 where Joe worked for Eastern Airlines. Joe and Toni enjoyed traveling all over the world. In 1990 Joe and Toni returned to the Midwest and enjoyed their retirement years together. 

Joe is survived by his wife Toni; daughters Mary (Richard) Becker and Barb (Pat) Bergstrom; grandchildren Patrick J Bergstrom, Corey Bergstrom, April Bergstrom, Joseph Benak, and Alex Benak; great granddaughter Evelyn Benak, and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Frank and Jim, and his beloved sons Joseph in 1969 and Edward in 2001. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rio with Father Balaraju Eturi presiding. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Rio. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 am until 10:30 AM at Grasse Funeral Home, 401 Angel Way, Rio. Our family is so grateful for the compassionate medical staff at Essentia Health, especially Mr. James Potter, PA who cared for Joe in his final years.

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