Birth date: Aug 13, 1945 Death date: Apr 15, 2018
Decatur – Harold L. Benton, 72, of Warrensburg, IL took the hand of his Lord and went with Him to his Heavenly home on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in St. Mary’s Hospital. Harold was born August 13, 1945 in Decatur, IL to Albert Benton Read Obituary
Lit a candle in memory of Harold L. Benton
I have know Harold for 72 years, lived in Bentonville with him and his family, there was at one time 22 families of Benton's in the area of Bentonvile Road. We played, went fishing, went swimming and lot of other things. We both worked at Cat and served in the Air Force. Harold and me crossed path all the time, a lot on the internet. Harold was a fine christian brother. From the house on Baltimore to the house on Lost Bridge road I remember good time with his family. I remember Albert and Marcella, they were aunts and uncles to me and his sisters Linda and Lynette. God bless all of you.
I met Harold as a part of the Vocational Program my Junior year of High School. He was my lead man in his senior year. A very kind heart for sure.
I was truly blessed to have been introduced to Harold and Diana through the love of my life, Robert Wilcott. When shortly after friends set Bob and I up on a date, Bob was telling me about his relationship to Harold and Diana and how through some problems with his ex-wife they had not had any contact for 6 or 7 years. He mentioned he had some questions about a motor or something he'd like to talk to Harold about and I encouraged him to do so. He did right away and Bob told them about me and I was invited out with. We just hit it off immediately. Bob had gone through all 12 years with Harold in school and Diana had joined them for the last five, I believe, Harold was really like a brother that Bob never had and Diana like a sister neither one of them had. Our friendship has spanned almost 30 years now and I have so many wonderful memories of times we shared. We went to many many antique car shows, even a national show where you could purchase parts for antique cars in Iowa a few times, 5th Sunday trips to Bloomington. antique store visits, a trip or two to St. Charles, boat rides, and so many evenings sharing dinner sitting and just talking and laughing. Diana and Bob's birthdays were only days apart so in 1996, Harold and I got together and threw a 50's 50th birthday party for the two of them. We all had such a wonderful evening and talked about it for weeks afterward. Then in March of '97, we lost Robert to Pancreatic Cancer. Harold and Diana were my rock. They grieved for him almost as much as I did, since they knew him so much longer. Bob and I had moved to Warrensburg, right across the street from Harold and Diana in 1995. In 2005, I felt God was calling me to move to Springfield to be closer to my son and my grandchildren. So many things have proven that I was right, but it was so very hard to leave my dear friends. Days, weeks, months, and even years can not break the closeness we have shared. They have both been two of my dearest friends ever. I grieve for our loss but celebrate Harold's victory in joining Robert at those pearly gates. Harold was indeed a great man and a wonderful friend and I know without a single doubt that he is in heaven today! Rest in peace my friend.
My wife and I had not seen Harold since we moved away from Decatur in 1974. We would on rare occasion talk on the phone when a big event would take place back there or a friend and classmate would pass. We use to double date in high school and he was always so much fun to be around. We touched bases again with him and Diana when they came to the Phoenix area as snow birds. We just loved being around them and tried to talk them into permanently moving out here. They had to many family members and friends there to make the move permanent. We were hoping to at least keep the winter visits coming though. Across the miles and all those years in between, when we did meet it was like old times all over. None of us could quit talking about the good ole days at EHS. He will always be apart of Lin and I and we are blessed to have had such a good friend. He is a hard man to try and measure up to, he will truly be missed. We LOVE you Harold and you too Diana. Hey Harold, try not to talk politics in Heaven, okay.Linda & Mike Ball
Sent a gift in memory of Harold L. Benton
Diana, Scott, and Melissa,So sorry to learn of Harold's passing. We pray your wonderful memories will give you peace during this difficult time. We are out of town so will not be able to attend the services, but will be praying for all.
You will be very missed Harold, you were such a good man, I was blessed to have been able to get to know you through your love of animals, and your beautiful wife, I am so sorry you had to leave us to soon
