1934
Mac
2011
Mac Behnke
October 19, 1934 — November 19, 2011
Mac Leroy Behnke, 77, our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, died peacefully at home in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Saturday, November 19, 2011. He was born in Battle Creek on October 19, 1934, to Carl H. and Barbara (Ardis) Behnke. Mac graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1953 earning All City Honors for his exemplary basketball skills. Mac went on to play ball and attend Western Michigan University until an injury ended his basketball career. He returned home to become involved in the family transportation and real estate business. He served as a director and officer of Behnke Trucking, Inc. and Behnke Warehousing, Inc. He loved driving trucks and he spent many years doing so.
Mac married his high school sweetheart, Mary Alice (Betty) Murray, on August 13, 1955, and spent 54 wonderful years in marriage. She preceded him in death in 2009. Surviving are his daughter, Suzanna Kay (Michael) Carney of Peachtree City, GA; Mark A. (Geri Drozdowski) Behnke of Battle Creek; Mac R. (Susan) Behnke of Gull Lake; Martin M. (Jan) Behnke of Battle Creek; Andrew J. (Barry Sizemore) Behnke of Ormond Beach, FL; sixteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; a sister Karlene VanderWall of Battle Creek; and a brother Richard C. (Jeanne) Behnke of Deerfield Beach, FL.
Mac was a devoted Notre Dame fan spending over sixty years of his life cheering for the Irish, attending his last football game in September 2011, celebrating a win over MSU. In his younger years he enjoyed motorcycle riding, golfing, and playing an occasional game of gin rummy. He and Betty attended baseball games at Bailey Park supporting their favorite team, BEHNKE. In his later years he visited all of the Indian casinos in Michigan. He particularly enjoyed playing the “one armed bandits.” He also liked to spend time watching the water fowl on the lake throughout the year.
Mac had three wonderful, attentive caregivers who went above and beyond the call of duty. The Behnke family truly appreciates all the efforts of Suzanne Pifer, Kathy Ledford, and Linda Weston.
At the request of the family, friends will be received at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Wednesday November 23, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with The Rev. Charles H. Fischer officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice or Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.henryfuneralhome.org.
Mac married his high school sweetheart, Mary Alice (Betty) Murray, on August 13, 1955, and spent 54 wonderful years in marriage. She preceded him in death in 2009. Surviving are his daughter, Suzanna Kay (Michael) Carney of Peachtree City, GA; Mark A. (Geri Drozdowski) Behnke of Battle Creek; Mac R. (Susan) Behnke of Gull Lake; Martin M. (Jan) Behnke of Battle Creek; Andrew J. (Barry Sizemore) Behnke of Ormond Beach, FL; sixteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; a sister Karlene VanderWall of Battle Creek; and a brother Richard C. (Jeanne) Behnke of Deerfield Beach, FL.
Mac was a devoted Notre Dame fan spending over sixty years of his life cheering for the Irish, attending his last football game in September 2011, celebrating a win over MSU. In his younger years he enjoyed motorcycle riding, golfing, and playing an occasional game of gin rummy. He and Betty attended baseball games at Bailey Park supporting their favorite team, BEHNKE. In his later years he visited all of the Indian casinos in Michigan. He particularly enjoyed playing the “one armed bandits.” He also liked to spend time watching the water fowl on the lake throughout the year.
Mac had three wonderful, attentive caregivers who went above and beyond the call of duty. The Behnke family truly appreciates all the efforts of Suzanne Pifer, Kathy Ledford, and Linda Weston.
At the request of the family, friends will be received at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Wednesday November 23, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with The Rev. Charles H. Fischer officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice or Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.henryfuneralhome.org.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mac Behnke, please visit our flower store.