Lester W. Bensman

Lester W. Bensman, 86, of Coldwater, Ohio died on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Briarwood Village in Coldwater. He was born May 10, 1930 in Dayton to the late August L. & Marie (Heitbrink) Bensman. On May 7, 1960, he married Phyllis J. (Stachler) who died May 16, 1999.  He is survived by children, Mark Bensman of Troy, Karen & Ron Schlater of Burkettsville, Janice & Randy Scott of Coldwater, Connie & Doug Rinderle of St. Henry and Margie & Doug Bradley of Coldwater; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; siblings Leroy & Rosemary Bensman of St. Henry, Rolland Bensman of Versailles and Betty Walterbusch of Maria Stein; in laws Mildred Bensman of Versailles, Ron & Shirley Stachler of Coldwater, Don & Jane Stachler of Celina, Richard & Kathie Stachler of Celina, John & CeCe Stachler of Kettering, Mary Koch of St. Marys, and Barbara Stachler of Ft. Recovery. He is preceded in death by a grandson Bryan Schlater; a daughter-in-law Rita Bensman; and siblings and in laws, Alvin & Joann Bensman, Virgil Bensman, Valinus (Slim) & Pat Bensman, Sherian Bensman, Ivo Walterbusch, Arlene Stachler, Gary Koch. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church , Coldwater, Coldwater Knights of Columbus, Mercer County Historical Society, Coldwater Fraternal Order of Eagles, and previously volunteered at the Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville. He drove for the Amish, was an avid camper, enjoyed spending his time with family and friends and woodworking. Lester worked at the former New Idea Plant in Coldwater for 47 years and was a member of SOAR United Steelworkers. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at Holy Trinity Church, Coldwater. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater. Friends may call from 2 to 7 PM on Tuesday and 9 to 10 AM Wednesday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Memorials may be made to State of the Heart Hospice or Cancer Association of Mercer County. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.