George Frank Benisch, 83, died August 4th, 2016 at Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long-Term Care. He was born September 25, 1932, in rural Trego County, to Frank and Nellie (Ptacek) Benisch. George married Ruth Loene Schoenthaler in 1957, and was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant and hospital maintenance supervisor.
George joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War in various capacities maintaining the aircraft of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), Tactical Air Command (TAC), and later the Strategic Air Command (SAC). After the Korean Conflict, George started his family and lived in Salina, KS (Schilling AFB), Casablanca, Morocco (Nousseur AFB), Clinton, OK (Clinton-Sherman AFB), and Rapid City, SD (Ellsworth AFB). Master Sergeant Benisch retired from the USAF and moved his family to his hometown of WaKeeney in 1971, where he worked in hospital maintenance until 2003 at Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include son, Gary and wife Sue of Wakeeney; daughter, Julie Miller and husband William of Plainfield, IL; son, Tim and wife Susan of Quinter, KS; son, Jim and wife Suzanne of Osborne, KS; 13 grandchildren include, Chris Benisch and wife Hannah of Olathe, KS; Jason Benisch and wife Mishaun of Inman, KS; Heather Hargitt and husband Brett of Quinter, KS; Ashley Schmidt and husband Nick of McPherson, KS; Tyler Stenzel of WaKeeney; Samantha Dunker and husband Eric of Naperville, IL; Victoria Miller of Plainfield, IL; Ross Benisch and wife Amy of McPherson, KS; Kirby Benisch of Colby, KS; Abby Benisch of Hays, KS; Dustin Benisch of Lee’s Summit, MO; Courtney Benisch of Lees Summit MO; Julia Worley of Osborne, KS; 8 great-grandchildren; and sister, Helen (Benisch) Flax of WaKeeney; brother, Joe Benisch and wife Mil of Davenport, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Nellie (Ptacek) Benisch; his wife Ruth; Sisters Mildred and Millie; Brother Clarence and 3 infant children.
George loved spending time with his family and friends. He passed his love and passion of off-road vehicles to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to continue the traditions he started. George was known to spend hours working on four-wheelers and spending time with the family at the sand dunes near Waynoka, OK. George’s lively personality and ornery sense of humor in a conversation will forever be missed but cherished forever.
A visitation will held on Sunday, August 7th from 5-7 pm at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, KS. A funeral service will be held Monday, August 8th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, KS at 10 am. Burial will be in the WaKeeney City Cemetery with military honors by the United States Air Force.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to “George Benisch Memorial Fund”. Contributions to the fund may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.