Posted by Parrot and Ramsey Funeral Home on Sep 6, 2013
Dr. Donald A. Benz, PhD, residing in Campbellsville, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2013. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 3pm at Parrott and Ramsey Funeral Home, 418 Lebanon Avenue, Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Dr. Benz (Don) was a college professor who dedicated his life to bettering his community through his work, devotion to family, friends, and church.
He was born in March 1931 in Park Falls, Wisconsin, to Carl and Marcella (Altman) Benz. Don grew up in nearby Butternut eventually attending Park Falls High School as a star athlete and excellent student, afterward graduating from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after graduation Don was drafted out of his first teaching position to serve two years in the United States Army on the edge of the newly created Korean demilitarized zone.
Following his honorable discharge Don obtained a Masters in Education from Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also completed his PhD. At Vanderbilt Don met a fellow student and soon-to-be love of his life, Mary Lynn Phillips of Campbellsville. They were married in Phoenix in 1956.
Upon completion of their graduate studies in Nashville, the two began an extended American road trip vis–à–vis teaching positions in New Orleans, Colorado, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In 1966 Don accepted a professorship at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) where he would specialize in training future reading specialists and teachers. Don viewed education as not only a profession but a personal calling and critical ingredient to the health of his community and society writ large. He served a term as president of the Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) and later as the organization’s state coordinator while continuing to teach at UWSP until his retirement in 1993.
Some years after retiring, Don and Mary Lynn relocated to Westfield, Indiana, to play a more active role in the lives of their granddaughters, whom he loved deeply. Don and Mary Lynn moved again last year to her ancestral home of Kentucky to be close to the family and natural surroundings they shared deep affection for.
Throughout, Don was a devotee of lifelong learning, an avid golfer, outdoorsman, patron of the arts, comprehensive reader of Asian and Civil War histories and remained ever passionate about American politics.
Don is survived by his wife Mary Lynn, their children Steven, David, Tom and grandchildren, Claudia and Olivia.
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Posted by Parrot and Ramsey Funeral Home on Sep 5, 2013
Will Joe Kerr of Campbellsville, son of the late Joe Burel Kerr and Martha Parthena Perkins Kerr, was born April 14, 1930, in Taylor County, Kentucky. He died at 11:55 A.M., Wednesday, September 4, 2013 in Campbellsville. Age: 83
He professed faith in Christ and was a member of the Good Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He faithfully attended church service either at his home church, Asbury United Methodist Church or Kellyville Community Church.
He was a retired dairy farmer and probation and parole officer under Governor Louie B. Nunn.
He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served his country honorably in the United States Marine.
He was a member of the Casey Creek Masonic Lodge #536 F & AM and also a member of the Shriners.
He united in marriage to Lovan Graham Milby June 30, 2006.
Besides his wife, Lovan Kerr, he is survived by two sons and one daughter: John Kerr and wife, Donna, Billy Joe Kerr and Tyann Morris and husband, Lloyd of Campbellsville; two step-daughters: Teresa Milby and Tina Penick of Greensburg; four grandchildren: David Kerr, Daniel Wyatt and wife, Vel, Lyndi Hagan and Leann Bland of Campbellsville; six step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren: Kelsi Edelen, Rai Lee Hagan, Mariah Cable, Jaxon Bland, Leah Kerr and Gabriel Kerr; ten step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Kinley Sky Edelen; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by one brother and one sister: James Kerr and Sarah Kidd.
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VISITATION: 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Friday, September 6, 2013 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by Rev. Earl West and Rev. Don Watson
BURIAL: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens with full military Honors by Marion County Veterans Honor Guard
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Posted by Parrot and Ramsey Funeral Home on Sep 5, 2013
Freddie Graham of Campbellsville, son of the late Hubbie Graham and Bessie Ann Caulk Graham, was born in Taylor County, Kentucky, April 22, 1939. He died at 6:35 P.M., Tuesday, September 3, 2013, in Campbellsville. Age: 74
He professed faith in Christ and was a member of Palestine Baptist Church.
He was former owner and operator of Graham’s Grocery and a construction worker.
He united in marriage to Betty Jean Benningfield October 22, 1960.
Besides his wife, Betty Jean Graham of Campbellsville, he is survived by one son and two daughters: Danny Graham of Lexington, Lisa Despain and husband, Billy and Lora Tungate and husband, Greg of Campbellsville; two grandsons: Elliott Despain and Alex Tungate of Campbellsville; two sisters and one brother: Goldie Graham, Tressie Hunt and Roy Graham of Campbellsville; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Graham of Campbellsville and one brother-in-law, Bert Rhodes, Jr. of Campbellsville; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Emily Ashton Tungate October 31, 2004 and three brothers and one sister: James Earl Graham January 2, 1937, Robert Graham March 4, 2001, Edgar Graham November 21, 2001 and Lorene Rhodes August 6, 2009.
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VISITATION: 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 A.M., Friday, September 6, 2013, at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by Rev. A. Landon Hadley and Rev. Danny Pace
BURIAL: Brockman Cemetery
FAMILY REQUESTS EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY BE DONATIONS TO MAKE TODAY COUNT CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, GIDEON BIBLES OR PALESTINE BAPTIST CHURCH PAVILLION FUND AND MAY BE MADE AT THE PARROTT & RAMSEY FUNERAL HOME
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