Ralph Dale Bensema

Ralph Bensema, 87, of Hiram, GA passed away August 27, 2019 at home. He was born at home in Iroquois County, Illinois on November 30, 1931, to John (Jack) and Ruth Bensema. Ralph moved to Ottawa, Illinois as a teen, where he met and married his wife Jayne Capsel on Dec. 31, 1953. Jayne preceded him in death on October 12, 2012. They moved to the Chicago area, Burr Oak, Michigan, Sacramento area and Sunnyvale, California, where he retired from United Airlines. After retirement, he and Jayne moved to Florida. After Jayne’s passing, he relocated to South Carolina to be closer to family. Once he became ill, he moved to Georgia to be in the full time care of his youngest daughter. He is survived by seven children: Nancy (Jacob) Kruszka, Coldwater, Michigan; James (Pamela) Bensema, Inman, South Carolina; Debra Bensema, Sacramento, California; Carol (Gerald) Johnson, Sacramento, California; Patricia (Scott) Wiley, Rapid City, South Dakota; Janice (Tim) Pelfrey, Hiram, Georgia, and Mark (Judy) Abel, the son whom he and Jayne placed for adoption in 1953. Ralph had the pleasure of meeting Mark and his family in April. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and eight step-great grandchildren, one brother, Merle (Linda) Bensema, and two sisters, Joanne Grey and Ess Hartley. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister, Arlene Gerding, and a step-great granddaughter. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held on November 16, 2019, at Marietta First Church of the Nazarene at 1pm in Marietta, Georgia.