Edwin "Eddie" Albert Benson

Edwin Albert Benson II, better known as "Eddie," enjoyed his 56 years to the fullest. A lover of animals, he lived on a farm in Kankakee with his many pets — dogs, cats, horses, chickens and even a pig named Wilbur. It was here he was at peace with himself and the world. Like his maternal grandfather, Karl Kangas, of Rockford, he loved the outdoors and was especially interested in fishing and horseback riding. All who knew him considered him a friend — one who would give his last dime. Now in eternal peace, he passed away Monday (Jan. 27, 2014) at home after a long struggle with cancer. Born on Dec. 9, 1957, in Chicago, to Judge Roger (Nancy) Benson and Marlene Benson, of Bourbonnais, he was the oldest of four children. His three surviving siblings are Eydie (Scott) Beaver, of Rockton, Lisa Benson Toulon, of Chicago, and David (Rose) Benson, of Bourbonnais, were proud to call him their brother and uncle to their children. He is also survived by his step-brother Richard Milton, of Bradley, and step-sisters Linda Johnson, of Gilman, and Barbara Milton, of Las Cruces, NM. He was "Uncle Eddie" to Jennifer and Amy Beaver, Alex and Nicholas Toulon, and Kyle, Kordell and Kelsi Benson; nephew to Ronald Benson and special friend Anna Swinford, of Bradley, Russell and Sandra Benson, of Kankakee, Gordon and Carroll Benson, of Rockford, and Kathy Carr, of Virginia Beach, Va. When he graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in 1976, he immediately went to work in the family business, Security Lumber & Supply Company in Bradley. In addition to his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, he is survived by his cousins, Chris (Rosemarie) Benson, of Bourbonnais, Curt (Julie) Benson, of Stoughton, Wis., Jeff (Tabitha) Benson, of Rockford, Jan (Michael) Samuelson, of South Carolina, Sherri Carr Paulauskis, of Virginia Beach, Colleen Jones and Michael Schale, of Florida. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Edwin A. and Florence Benson, and stepgrandmother, Cornelia (Connie) Benson, all of Kankakee; maternal grandparents, Karl and Sylvia Kangas, of Rockford; step uncle, Judge Fred Carr, of Virginia Beach; step aunt, Denyse King, of Florida; and "special aunt" Isabelle Diercouff, of Kankakee. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. Saturday until the 11 a.m. funeral service at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory, Kankakee. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley (www.hkvcares.com) or to the Kankakee County Humane Foundation (k3chs.tripod.com) . He was a friend to all who knew him. Family, friends and pets will sadly miss him. In celebration of his life, adopt a pet, fill out an organ donation card, or do an anonymous good deed.

Edwin "Eddie" Albert Benson

December 9, 1957 - January 27, 2014