Clifford W. McBenge, Sr.

FLAT ROCK, IL – Clifford Wayne McBenge, Sr., age 81 of Flat Rock, Illinois and formerly of Charleston and Lincoln, Illinois, passed away while at the Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The funeral service, honoring and celebrating his life will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Kenny Hughes officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Riley Hospital for Children and mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Cliff was born July 2, 1940, in Lincoln, Illinois, a son of Theodore and Frances (Gandt) McBenge.  Cliff was a graduate of Lincoln Community High School.  He married Linda Veff on September 7, 1963, in Havana, Illinois and she preceded him in death on July 24, 2005, following 42 years of marriage.  Together, they ran C & L Amusements for many years.

He is survived by his sons, Clifford W. McBenge, Jr. and wife Lesia of Flat Rock, Illinois and Eric McBenge and wife Sheila of Brandenburg, Kentucky; seven grandchildren, Alyssa Watson (Nick) of Auburn, Illinois, Tiffany Humphrey (Murdock) of Brandenburg, Katelynne Garavaglia (Jim) of Charleston, Travis McBenge (Laci) of Robinson, Illinois, Logan McBenge of Brandenburg, Lindsey VanSchoycik (Matt) and Emily Grazaitis (Joe) all of Robinson.  He loved his 14 great-grandchildren, Miley, Lainey, Madyson, Gunnar, Harley, Ali, Gannon, Huck, Noah, Henry, Bray, Elsie, Nevaeh and Autumn.  Also surviving are a sister, Esther Denney and a brother Bill McBenge, both of Lincoln and a brother-in-law, Jim Scales of Atlanta, Illinois.  In addition to his parents and his wife, those family members preceding him death are a sister, Cheryl Scales, a brother, Frank McBenge, and a brother-in-law, Wayne Denney.

Cliff’s love for the outdoors was demonstrated time and again through his hobbies and interests.  A day of hunting and fishing, mushroom hunting in the spring, or 4-wheeling was always enjoyed.   Those outings became extra special anytime he was joined by one of his grandchildren and he often used it as a teaching tool.  Cliff was a lover of all animals and living on a farm and tending to the livestock was not a chore.  He had a great sense of humor and loved sharing it with everyone through a joke or a prank!  One thing he did not joke about was his love of L.A. Dodger baseball – he was a serious fan!

Cliff will truly be missed by his loving and devoted family, his many friends and especially his canine best friend Morton “Morty” McBenge.   

Click here to view Cliff's Tribute Video 

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