Samuel Edward “Skip” Benge, 89, Kokomo, and formerly of Deedsville, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at St. Vincent Heart Hospital, Indianapolis
Born September 25, 1936, in Perrysburg, Indiana, he was the son of Samuel Birge and Eileen Bertha (Cassel) Benge. His first marriage was on August 10, 1958, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru, Indiana, to Katrina Sue Schmidt Benge, and she preceded him in death on November 18, 2018.
Together, Skip and Katrina had four children, Daryl (Kim) Benge, Greenfield; Darlene (Rob) Graber, Peru; Karen (Larry “Bug”) Mullins, Denver; and Diann DeVivo, Indianapolis. seven grandchildren, Luke Benge, Leslie Bardonner, Kelsey Graber Kendra Peters, and Kyle and Gabrielle DeVivo, and Grace Nightingale; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
His second marriage was on February 22, 2022, at the Kokomo Seventh Day Adventist Church, to Diana (Deitz) Beeler Benge, and she survives along with her two children, Shaun (Erik) Henderson-Vigil. Fulton; and Melody Jo (Jim) Johnson, Indianapolis; and grandchildren Alex Hoover and Joseph Hoover.
In addition to his first wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, William K. Benge.
Skip graduated from Deedsville High School in 1954. He went on to join the United States Air Force and was a thirty-two-year veteran of the United Parcel Service, where he retired driving the northern Miami County route. For many years he was on the North Miami Football Chain Gang and was proud to be on the sidelines for the 1993 state championship team. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and loved being an usher for Notre Dame football games. He enjoyed model trains, coon hunting, and spending time fishing in Minnesota and Michigan. He loved working in his garden, traveling, and his dogs.
Skip was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Peru, and had recently been a member of the Kokomo Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Peru, with Pastor Josua P. Dub officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Peru.
Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m. on Friday, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver.
Memorial contributions can be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery fund.
