Ronald L. Bennington
Rock Port, Missouri

Ronald Lee Bennington was the first son of five children born to Conley and Lois (Herron) Bennington on December 7, 1944, in Hamburg, Iowa.

As a young child, Ronnie lived on a farm near Rock Port, later moving to Mound City, Missouri. As a teen he enjoyed helping with farming activities and graduated from Mound City High School. He then attended Platte Business College in St. Joseph, Missouri. On June 28, 1964, he was united in marriage to Sharon Crowley at Mound City Christian Church. Ron and Sharon moved to Rock Port in 1967 where he worked as a parts manager for his father at the Bennington Chevrolet dealership. Ronnie joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in 1967 and retired after 21 years of service.

When Ronnie’s dad retired, he continued to work as a parts manager for Fletcher Motors in the same building. Later he bought the business, renaming it “Bennington Auto Service.” He sold EZ-Go golf cars, carports, and rented U-Hauls. After his own retirement, he wanted to stay busy and enjoyed meeting people by working at FC Foods stocking shelves. He also looked forward to harvest season, so that he could run the grain cart for his son-in-law, Reed. Ron also enjoyed the fireworks season and helped out at Watson Fireworks whenever needed. Ronnie was a member of the Rock Port Telephone board for 21 years. He had also served on the Rock Port Country Club board. Ron was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Rock Port. Ronnie passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014, at his home in Rock Port at the age of 70.

Ronnie was always an outdoorsman. He and Sharon enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing and gardening. Ron also loved to hunt. He had many fun hunting experiences and was always excited to be at deer camp bonding with all the guys. He wasn’t the perfect shot all the time, especially the time he accidentally shot his toe on a rabbit hunt.

Being a Papa was one of his happiest roles. Taking many golf car rides at the river with Montana, his granddaughter, at the wheel was always a fun bonding time, but kept him on his toes. Especially the time when she turned too fast and they did a 180 off the levee, and she barely was scolded. He also enjoyed quiet talks and time in the woods hunting with Brock, his grandson. He was so proud to see him shoot his first turkey and deer. Papa also enjoyed any time spent with youngest grandson, Graham. They enjoyed taking walks, playing together, and talking on FaceTime. He loved being a babysitter, taxi driver, and didn’t like to miss any of the kids’ activities. He was always attentive to EVERYTHING the grandkids wanted!

Ron was preceded in death by son, Patrick Bennington, his father, Conley Bennington, and brother, Dale Bennington. He is survived by wife, Sharon, Rock Port, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage this past year; children, Staci Martin and husband, Reed, Watson, Missouri, and Terry Bennington and wife, Erin, Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, Montana and Brock Martin and Graham Bennington; mother, Lois (Herron) Bennington, Rock Port; brothers, Gary Bennington and wife, Jayne Ann, Rock Port, Gale Bennington and wife, Debbie, St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Karen Young and husband, Kenneth, Mound City; sister-in law, Jane Hausman and husband, Mark, St. Joseph; and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014, First Lutheran Church, Rock Port.
INTERMENT: Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port.
VISITATION: The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
MEMORIALS: First Lutheran Church.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.