Floyd D. “Mr. B” Beneker
Floyd D. “Mr. B” Beneker, 77, of Marshall, Mich., died peacefully at his home on Dec. 12, surrounded by his family following a short illness.
Floyd was born on March 30, 1939, in Prairie du Chien, to Floyd and Ruth (Campbell) Beneker. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1957. He served in the United States Army from 1961-1963 in Fort Gordon Ga. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with bachelors and later earned his masters degree. On Dec. 29, 1964, he married Judith “Judy” Atkins in Prairie du Chien.
Floyd started working for Marshall Public Schools in 1964, as the Ag Science teacher and Future Farmers of America Advisor. Since he started teaching, the students always called him “Mr. B.” Floyd enjoyed teaching and helping all of his students. He would find all the good in the students and help them strive to their highest potential to success. He helped so many of his FFA students reach for all possible awards and pushed them to learn all the leadership skills they could to help better themselves and the community. He always had a sense of pride for all of his students and shared it with the Marshall FFA Alumni. He helped start the Marshall FFA Alumni in the 1970s and he also helped it grow to be one of the biggest organizations of its kind in the state of Michigan. The alumni gave thanks to Floyd by giving him a Massy Harrison Tractor at his retirement in 2001, and by naming the new greenhouse at the high school in his honor when it was built in 2012. While being the advisor and ag science teacher, he earned several awards from honorary American Farmer degree to outstanding teacher.
Floyd was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church where he served as usher, greeter and sang in the choir. He also was a past member of the Marshall Jaycees and the Community Chorus. Once he retired, he and Judy enjoyed traveling and taking several trips to Alaska with the Alaska Great Lakes Project from Marshall.
Floyd enjoyed giving back to the community and volunteered at different events around town and helped with the Marshall Area of Community Service around the holiday time. He also served Fredonia Township for several years as a member of the board of trustees and the Fredonia Township Road Committee. He also farmed and gardened in Fredonia Township raising cattle and selling potatoes for several years. He also enjoyed spending time with his family especially spending time with his grandchildren. Floyd was more than a teacher to his students; he was a mentor and a friend. His memory and wisdom will forever live on for many generations.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Judy of Marshall; daughters, Barb (Todd) Hazel, Beth Beneker, both of Marshall, and Carrie (Bob) Carl, of Hastings; grandchildren, Matthew Hazel, Kaylie and Ben Carl; sister Rita Sturm, of O’Fallon, Ill.; and several nieces, nephews and former students. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Linderbaum.
A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday Dec. 16, at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Marshall with Reverend Father Craig Lusk officiating. Interment will follow at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery. Family will gather with friends following the committal services at the Saint Mary Parish Hall. Memorial contributions in Floyd’s memory are requested to the Marshall FFA. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Home. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guest book at www.kempffuneralhome.com.
