Christopher Benton

RICHMOND, Ind. – Christopher Benton, age 81, of Richmond, died Saturday, February 8, 2014, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born October 12, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Dr. R.W. and Madelon C. Chandler Benton, Chris was a 1955 graduate of Earlham College and served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He moved permanently to this community from Monroe, Connecticut, in 1964. Chris was the Associate Director of Admissions at Earlham College from 1964 to 1973, Coordinator of Vocational Education and Supervisor of Adult Education for Richmond Community Schools from 1986 to 1996, and formerly served as coordinator for Shaklee Natural Products. During his life, he was very active in the community. Chris was a member of Central United Methodist Church, member and past President of Richmond Noon Kiwanis, having served as Lt. Governor for the State of Indiana Kiwanis; member of Strings Unlimited; United Way Captain; and on the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a former board member of Spur; former Vice-President of Sister Cities, Inc.; former member of Richmond Photographic Society; former member of the Board of Directors of Safety Village; former member of the Board of Richmond Planning Commission; and former board member of Starr Gennett Foundation. Survivors include his wife, Shirley E. Neeley Clark Benton, to whom he was married on August 3, 2001; daughter, Debbie (Bill) Kitchin of Richmond; two sons, Jeff (Teresa) Benton of Hilliard, Ohio, and Tim (Jennifer) Benton of Ponte Vedra, Florida; five grandchildren, Kyle and Staci Benton of Ohio and Katie and her twin brothers, Will and Drew Benton of Florida; older brother, Chandler Benton of Buckeye, Arizona; nieces; and nephews. Chris was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Humes Benton, who died in 1984; his parents; and his younger brother, Edward R. Benton of Boulder, Colorado. Visitation for Christopher Benton will be from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2014, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2014, at Central United Methodist Church, 1425 East Main Street, Richmond with Rev. Charlie Black and Rev. Kerry O’Brien officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery with Committal Service in the Earlham Memorial Mausoleum, with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Earlham College, Office of Alumni & Development, Drawer 193, Richmond, IN 47374; Starr Gennett Foundation, c/o Wayne County Foundation, 33 South 7th Street, Suite 1, Richmond, IN 47374; Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 2674, Richmond, IN 47375; or Central United Methodist Church, 1425 East Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Christopher Benton

October 12, 1932 - February 8, 2014