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Darwin Benton Obituary

Darwin Keith Benton

Funeral services for Darwin Keith Benton, 87, Midwest City, OK, formerly of Lawrence, will be held at 10:30 a.m., May 2, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Burlington, KS at 3:00 p.m. He died on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Midwest City, OK.

Darwin was born on December 24, 1925 in Ottumwa, KS the son of Arthur M. and Ocie (Noel) Benton.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was assigned to the USS Hamlin in the Pacific. He returned to service during the Korean Conflict and was, once again, honorably discharged.

Darwin began his real estate career as an abstractor in 1954, he was later associated with Holmes, Peck and Brown, Mitchell-Stephens and, finally, Stephens Real Estate until his retirement.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, worshiping through the years at Southside and later, Baldwin. He loved his church family. Among other civic engagements, Darwin was an active member of the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club for over 50 years and the American Legion. He also enjoyed his work with Meals on Wheels.

Darwin married Nelda Lou Cochran on May 25, 1947 in Burlington, KS, nearly 66 years ago. She survives and presently resides in Midwest City, OK near their son.

Other survivors include two sons, Andrew K. Benton, Malibu, CA and Dan L. Benton, Midwest City, OK and their wives, Debby and Kelly, respectively; four grandchildren, Hailey, Chris, Megan and Evan; sister Joy Becker, Papillion, NE; and many cousins, nephews and nieces whom he loved very much.

The family will greet friends from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Lawrence Schools Foundation and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Apr. 30, 2013.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Darwin Benton

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Darwin was a special man. He was interested in the lives of everyone he knew, and tried to help anyone in need. I was honored to know him and to work with him at Stephens Real Estate. Joan Stowell

Joan Stowell

May 5, 2013

Darwin was a classmate of mine. He was always a friendly Classmate and liked by everyone.

Maxine Van Valkenburg

May 3, 2013

Dar's kind spirit will always hold a space in my heart. Vicki Starks Boyle

May 2, 2013

A fellow Breakfast Optimist in the 60's, I was always impressed by his truly gentlemanly qualities. Regards to his entire family. J. Tom Adams

May 1, 2013

Dar was a customer of mine at the automotive deptartment of Montgomery Ward, he encourged me to get in the real estate business. I followed his advice and now 32 years later I am still in the real estate business.
Dar was a special man, so kind, so understanding. My prayers are with his family, a fine Christian man, who will be missed.

Richard Wright

May 1, 2013

In sympathy

Effie l Simmons

April 30, 2013

I am saddened to read of Darwin's passing. I worked with Darwin as a new agent at Stephen's Real Estate in the early 90's. Darwin's sweet spirit was contagious and his gentle tenacity in his work was like none other. My prayer for God's comfort to all of the family.

Becky Mondi

April 30, 2013

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