William D. "Bill" Benkelman
Marriages
Barbara Ell Benkelman - May 2, 1952
died in 1995.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Vail Daily page A9 - August 10, 2002
William D. BENKELMAN, who founded, developed and build the Lodge and Spa at Breckenridge, died Aug. 6 at his home in Cass City, mich.
Born in Royal Oak, Mich., on Oct. 23, 1928, the son of Harold and Isabel BENKELMAN, he grew up in Cass City and attended Michigan State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952.
"Bill" was a captain in the U.S. Army and a veteran of the Korean War, where as a lieutenant he earned a Bronze Star of Meritorious Achievement for keeping his unit in the highest state of readiness. On May 2, 1952, BENKELMAN married Barbara ELL of New York, who preceded him in death in 1995. In 1956, he joined Cadillac Plastics Co. as an outside salesman, rising through the ranks to chairman in 1984. When he retired from the company in 1988, he and Barbara moved to Cass City, where he lived until his death. William BENKELMAN is survived by: son Jefrey Robert David BENKELMAN and his wife, MARILYN, and their three children Bridget, Jefrey, and Cody, of North Palm Beach, Fla.; son James Ell BENKELMAN and his wife, Susan, of Breckenridge and her son, Josh CONSTAS, and his wife Julie; daughter, Cynthia BENKELMAN RYERSON and her husband, Anthony M. RYERSON Jr., and their children Anthony III and Sally Barbara, of Vail; brother Robert F. BENKELMAN and his wife, Lorraine, of Caseville; four nieces; and one nephew.
A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Presbyterian Church, 6505 Church St., Cass City, with burial at the Elkland Township Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City.
