Clayton Benson
November 12th, 1933 - April 8th, 2026
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Clayton's Obituary
Clayton M. Benson, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in St. Joseph, MI. He was born on November 12, 1933 in Benton Harbor, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 17 at 10:00 am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Burial at Lake Shore Cemetery, Hagar Twp. Please feel free to share a memory online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Clayton graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1952. He proudly joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and was stationed in California, Germany, and South Dakota before being Honorably Discharged in 1957.
On August 18, 1957, Clayton married Betty J. Davino at St. Johns Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. After serving in the Air Force, Clayton started Benson’s Floor Service together with his father, Lowell, and brother, Lowell Jr. In 1969, Clayton and Betty started Benson’s Carpet and Floor Coverings in St. Joseph. Together they served the community proudly for many years.
Clayton proudly built three homes in Berrien County. He enjoyed the great outdoors and was known for his love with hunting and fishing. Especially walleye and perch fishing as well as hunting moose, bear, elk, and caribou. Clayton enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years and spent many of those outings at his cabin in Oba, Canada. He also enjoyed carving and painting fish, bears, moose, canoes, geese, and ducks.
Clayton was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Veterans of Foreign Wars and volunteered with the St. Joseph Police Department for 14 years as Retired Assistant Service Coordinator.
Clayton is survived by his children, Kirk Benson, Lori Benson, and Linda (Mike) Murray; grandchildren, Kristine (Andy) Collins, Kylie Benson, Brad (Larissa) Benson, AJ Tyler, Maxwell Murray, and Nicholas Murray; great-grandchildren, Kiya Collins, Kendrick and Vierce Berry, Hailey and Lucas Benson; and many nieces and nephews.
Clayton was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean; son, Gary Benson; parents, Lowell and Lucille Benson; brother, Lowell Gordon Jr; and sisters, Joyce and Virginia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 17 at 10:00 am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Burial at Lake Shore Cemetery, Hagar Twp. Please feel free to share a memory online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Clayton graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1952. He proudly joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and was stationed in California, Germany, and South Dakota before being Honorably Discharged in 1957.
On August 18, 1957, Clayton married Betty J. Davino at St. Johns Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. After serving in the Air Force, Clayton started Benson’s Floor Service together with his father, Lowell, and brother, Lowell Jr. In 1969, Clayton and Betty started Benson’s Carpet and Floor Coverings in St. Joseph. Together they served the community proudly for many years.
Clayton proudly built three homes in Berrien County. He enjoyed the great outdoors and was known for his love with hunting and fishing. Especially walleye and perch fishing as well as hunting moose, bear, elk, and caribou. Clayton enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years and spent many of those outings at his cabin in Oba, Canada. He also enjoyed carving and painting fish, bears, moose, canoes, geese, and ducks.
Clayton was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Veterans of Foreign Wars and volunteered with the St. Joseph Police Department for 14 years as Retired Assistant Service Coordinator.
Clayton is survived by his children, Kirk Benson, Lori Benson, and Linda (Mike) Murray; grandchildren, Kristine (Andy) Collins, Kylie Benson, Brad (Larissa) Benson, AJ Tyler, Maxwell Murray, and Nicholas Murray; great-grandchildren, Kiya Collins, Kendrick and Vierce Berry, Hailey and Lucas Benson; and many nieces and nephews.
Clayton was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean; son, Gary Benson; parents, Lowell and Lucille Benson; brother, Lowell Gordon Jr; and sisters, Joyce and Virginia.
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