Judge Roger A. Benson

Judge Roger A. Benson, age 84, of Bourbonnais, died Friday, February 10, 2017 at his home. He was born September 17, 1932 in Joliet, the son of Edwin A. & Florence Warning Benson. Roger married Nancy Kavaney on May 23, 1986 in Kankakee. He was a retired associate circuit court judge and was also a private practice attorney. He was a 1950 graduate of Rockford High School. Roger earned a BBA from Northwestern University in 1954 and a JD from DePaul University in 1958. In October of 1958, he was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois. From 1954-1968, he served as vice president of Security Lumber and Supply Co., Inc. in Bradley. From 1959-1968, he practiced law in Kankakee. From 1968 until 1992, he was appointed and served as Associate Circuit Court Judge of Kankakee County. From 1992 to present day, he continued the general practice of law. Roger was an Adjunct Professor at Olivet Nazarene University. He was a member of the Kankakee County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Judges Association, American Judges Association, and the Delta Theta Pi Law Fraternity. He was also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, serving as Senior Counsellor- Class of 2008 (50 years of legal service). Roger was a recipient of Judge Duane O’Connor Leadership Award in December of 2008. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Illinois Bar Association John C. McAndrew’s Pro Bono Service Award. He was active with a number of charitable organizations, including serving as President of the Easter Seals Society of Kankakee County, serving as a board member of the Kankakee County Victim’s Assistance Center, and was Volunteer Attorney of the Year through Prairie State Legal Services in 2003. He also served on the board of Directors with the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley. Roger was a member of the Professional Council of the Shepherd’s Endowment Society for the Good Shepherd Manor. Roger was a very active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks; serving in all local and national offices, including State President from 1995-1996 and Chief Justice of Grand Forum from 1997-1998. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Kankakee Lodge No. 802 and Kankakee Masonic Lodge No. 389. Surviving are his wife, Nancy Benson of Bourbonnais; one son and daughter-in-law, David & Rosella Benson of Bourbonnais; two daughters and one son-in-law, Eydie & Scott Beaver of Rockton and Lisa Toulon & Mark Garcia of Chicago; one step-son, Richard Milton of Bradley; two step-daughters, Barbara Milton of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Linda & Michael Johnson of Gilman; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Ronald Benson of Bradley and Russell & Sandra Benson of Kankakee; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and one son, Edwin A. Benson II. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, where funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017. Deacon Patrick Skelly will officiate the service. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Bourbonnais. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation or Kankakee Community College Paralegal Program. Roger enjoyed his charity work with the Elks, traveling, and reading. He was dearly loved by his family and will be sadly missed by his family and his many, many friends.

Judge Roger A. Benson

September 17, 1932 - February 10, 2017