Clifford Denzil Benbrook passed away peacefully at his home in Hoodville, surrounded by family on July 19, 2026. He was affectionately called Strawberry by people in the community, due to his rich red hair, which he kept until the very end. For his family, he was simply Dad, Grandpa, Pops, Uncle, and Denzil. He was loved and respected by all that knew him.

Strawberry was born on March 19, 1926, in Granite City, Illinois to Doris Ezekial Benbrook and Anna Morris Benbrook. He grew up in a family with 5 siblings (Morris, Mary Lou, Waylon, Loretta, and Joan. He began living in rural Hamilton County in Hoodville when he was around 8 years old. Strawberry married Norma Jane Bevan on the East lawn of the Jefferson County Courthouse on August 22, 1950. They were happily married for 71 years until Norma’s death on April 9, 2022. They raised four children in that little house on the corner in Hoodville (Dennis, Doris, Lonnie, and). That little family stayed intact until Spencer’s passing on November 24, 2020.

Family was of the utmost importance to both of them, and that is apparent because of the closeness of a much larger extended family to this day. Grandma and Grandpa were two of the most giving people I will ever know. Their little home on the corner was always a hub of activity. Family, friends, and neighborhood kids could always get in a good visit and almost always some of Grandma’s delicious home cooking. The smell of a freshly baked cake always filled the house, and the grandkids knew you could get as many ice cream cones as you wanted. She prided herself on feeding everyone but especially taking care of her sweet husband Denzil. One might say that he was a little spoiled by her. My grandparents took in so many people and treated them as family over the years that I truly lost count.

Denzil saw so many things in his ten decades of life. Prior to meeting his wife, he served as a Marine in World War II. He took part in the invasion and conflict of Okinawa. He was on the battlefield for 83 days. He was on a ship in Tokyo Bay when the Peace Treaty was signed. He never talked much about those memories until he reached his eighties. During those years, he gave many interviews to local fifth graders during their study of World War II. He took great pride in attending Memorial Day services on the square and attending Memorial Day Service and breakfast at East Side Elementary, where so many of his grandkids attended and have worked throughout the years. It has always been a special day of remembrance for him. He has enjoyed so many visits with historians of World War II. He was honored to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his son Dennis a few years ago. That was a special trip for him. The World War II ship in Evansville also made special accommodations for him in his nineties to tour the ship that was like the ones that took him on his overseas journey when he was just a young man. He was also honored to be a Grand Marshall of the Fall Festival Parade in 2023. He had an acute memory right up until his last days and was such a valuable resource.

Clifford began working on oil rigs and pulling units when just a teenager and continued in that field throughout his lifetime. He went to work for Busby Energy in 1976 and even continued checking wells for them until recently with the help of his son, Dennis. He made many, many great friends and co-workers throughout the years and truly loved the work.

He served on the Hamilton County Water Board for many years. This was the Board that made clean water available for all of rural Hamilton County. He took great pride in serving on that board.

Clifford served as a coach when his kids were younger. He and Norma enjoyed following local men's softball which was quite the craze in the eighties and nineties. Dennis and Lonnie often played on the same teams, so it became a family affair. Grandchildren throughout the years have continued taking part in sports. Grandma kept every clipping and Grandpa enjoyed hearing about the games, even when he could no longer get out and watch. He especially enjoyed his youngest grandson Wrigley bringing his archery medals to show grandpa after each competition that he takes part in.

Clifford was such a hard worker and especially enjoyed working outside. He was always battling the honeysuckle that wanted to grow on all the banks around his home. One of his most-loved hobbies was bowling, and he continued doing so until the ripe old age of 97. He and his wife Norma were both avid bowlers and passed that love down to all of his kids. He was in men’s bowling leagues until even recent years in Benton and Harrisburg with many family members and friends as teammates. Bowling has always been and will continue to be one of the things the entire family can always come together and enjoy.

Clifford was preceded in death by his loving wife Norma Benbrook on April 9, 2022. His beloved son, Spencer passed away on November 24, 2020. Clifford was also preceded in death by his parents, Doris Benbrook and Anna Benbrook Rhupard, a sister, Mary Lou Barker, brothers Morris and Waylan Benbrook, daughter-in-law Starla Benbrook.

Clifford Denzil Benbrook is survived by son Dennis Benbrook and wife Francis of Hoodville, son Lonnie Benbrook and wife Lori of Hoodville, and daughter Doris Kanik and husband Steve of rural McLeansboro. His grandson Chris Benbrook (Spencer) called Grandpa’s home his second home to this day. He is also survived by sisters, Joan Ramack (Hoodville) and Loretta Florek (Arkansas). Clifford is survived by twelve grandkids. Stephanie Kanik (Heather), Brande Benbrook, Derek Benbrook (Melissa), Beth Wheeler (C.W.), Oliver Benbrook (R.J.), Chris Benbrook, Lindsay Kostecki (Nick), Ryne Benbrook (Samantha), Brittney Kanik, Sammy Benbrook, Wrigley Benbrook, and Savannah Stewart (Josh). The family has grown to include ten great-grandkids, and six great-great grandkids. Clifford is also survived by many nephews and nieces that loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to SSM Hospice, 1259 W. Robinson St., Wayne City, Illinois 62895.

Clifford Denzil Benbrook’s visitation and funeral will be on July 22, 2026, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, Illinois. Family visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:00 am, public visitation from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with the funeral taking place immediately at 12:00 pm. Full Military Rights with burial taking place at Digby Hill Cemetery in Dale, Illinois.

Thank you to all of the family, home health care aides, nurses, and Hospice of Southern Illinois who made it possible for Cifford Denzil Benbrook (aka Strawberry) to live out his final days in his home, which is the one and only thing I have ever heard him ask for.

The family is being served by Harre Funeral Home, 310 West Randolph Street, McLeansboro, Illinois  62859.