Donald Charles Bench

Donald Charles Bench Sr, 80 of Elmore, OH died peacefully on January 1, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg after a short battle with cancer. He was born March 28, 1942 in Toledo, OH at Women’s and Children’s Hospital to the late Margaret (Turnow) and Charles Bench. On April 16, 1966 he married his lifelong love and business partner, Janice Annette Bristow, and she survives.
Donald began farming with his family in Curtice, OH as a teenager in the 1950’s. He was a 1960 graduate of Clay High School, Oregon, OH. He was a member of Future Farmers of America and earned his state farmer degree. He then attended The Ohio State University for two years. In 1964 he joined the Air National Guard and served for 6 years as a medic with the 180th Tactical Fighter Unit at the Toledo Express Airport.
Donald and Janice moved to their new farm in Elmore in 1973 along with their four preschool children. That same year they began their roadside market and in 1978 began Bench’s Greenhouse & Nursery. They founded Benchmore Farms, Inc. in 1981, dba Bench’s Greenhouse, Nursery and Farm Market at their homestead on State Route 105.
Donald was a member of the NW Ohio Vegetable Growers Association, where he served as an officer in the organization through the years. He was also an active member of the Maumee Valley Growers Association. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Elmore where he served as President of the congregation as well as a church council member. He joined the Elmore Lions Club in 2002 and served as an officer of the club.
Donald discovered a late in life passion. Restoring Model A automobiles. He and Janice joined the Flying Quail Model A Club and traveled to many meets across the Eastern US over the last two decades.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years Janice, of Elmore; children: Kristine (Todd) Albee of Roswell, GA, Donald (Jill) Bench Jr. of Elmore, Karen Bench of Columbus, OH, and Kathy (Douglas) Buhrow of Elmore, OH; grandchildren: Leah (Dan) Munoz, Camryn Bench, Payton Buhrow, Andrew Bench, Charlie Albee, Sydni Buhrow, Jackson Albee, Samuel Albee, Brady Buhrow, Joseph Albee, and Mary Eden Albee; siblings: David (Cindy) Bench of Curtice, OH, Diane Dickinson of Williston, OH and Linda Rossler of Curtice, OH, and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother Robert Bench.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-8pm at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel. Funeral Services will begin at 11am on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church, 19225 W. Witty Road, Elmore, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10am. Burial will be in Harris-Elmore Union Cemetery with a Celebration of Don’s life to be held in the Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Memorial Contributions may be given to Grace Lutheran Church or Elmore Lions Club. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com

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