Gerald John Benton

Graveside services for Gerald John Benton, 79, Lawrence, will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery.Mr. Benton died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.He was born March 16, 1928, in Hutchison, the son of John Bernice and Gladys May Benton. He graduated from Partridge High School in 1946. He moved to Lawrence in 1977 from Salina.Mr. Benton owned Benton Paint Store and worked for Butler Manufacturing/Premier Pneumatics in Salina. After moving to Lawrence he worked at Chadda Sales. In 1984, he started Benton Equipment Company where he was president.He married Doris Louise Mason in Kingfisher, Okla. They were married for 61 years. She survives of the home.Other survivors include a son, Gary L., Herndon, Va.; one brother, Merle, Hutchison; six grandchildren, Korey, Ashley, Tanya, Aaron and Tyler Benton, and Sarah VenJohn; and many nieces and nephews including Cathy Jalali, Lawrence, and Doug Ediger, Phoenix, who were raised by Mr. and Mrs. Benton.Two sons, Dale and Lynn Benton, and two siblings preceded him in death.The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society, sent in care of the mortuary.Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Benton.