Frank J. Benci

Funeral services for Frank J. Benci were held Saturday, August 1, 2020, at 1 p.m. from Spring Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Stuart Purvis officiating. Burial followed in Spring Creek Cemetery. Mcclain-hays Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Benci, 94 of Philadelphia died Monday, July 27, 2020.

Mr. Benci was a native of Newport, Rhode Island. He served during WWII Army Air Corp as a Engineer/gunner on a B24, then reenlisted in the 67th M.P. Division as a Staff Sergeant, he was also a Volunteer Captain in the Civil Air Patrol. While he was stationed in Biloxi he met his wife Marie, and after his service to his country they moved to Jackson where he worked in photography, then they moved to Meridian where they owned/ operated their own photography studio. They moved to Starkville where he worked for MSU Aeronautic Research as their research photographer, then MSU opened the Boll Weevil Lab (Federal USDA) and he transferred there to be their research photographer. He retired from USDA after several years of service. After his retirement he went to work for the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department from 1987 until 2013, at that time he left to be with his wife during her final days. After the passing of his wife he moved to Philadelphia to stay close to his daughter and son-in-law. Mr. Benci was a mason.

Survivors include his son, Steve Benci of Metairie, LA; three grandchildren, Joey, Jamie and Matthew Bessonette; sister, Rita Kern (Guenter) of New Port, Rhode Island; nephew, Guenter Kern, Jr.; Niece, Angela Carnevale and their families.

Mr. Benci was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; daughter, Lynn Bessonette Barnett; brother, Louis Bencivenga.

Family has requested all memorials be made to Spring Creek Baptist Church in Philadelphia, MS.

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electrical engineering at Mississippi State University for over 25 years and worked in aerospace research. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was good and faithful servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Kenneth loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and also loved working on his farm. He married Joyce Ann Wingo on April 29, 1967 in Weatherford, TX.

Funeral services will be Monday, August 3, 2020, 3:00 PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Starkville with David Easley officiating. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Joyce Ann Ledlow of West Point; one daughter, Amy Lear (James) of West Point, one son, Dallas Lee Ledlow (Kim) of Carey, NC, three grandchildren: Courtney and Blake Ledlow and Suzie Lear, two sisters, Carolyn Ward of Columbus and Judy Blanton of Starkville. Preceding him in death were his parents: Fred and Ora Cooper Ledlow and one grandchild: Carley Ledlow.

Memorials may be made to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, P.O. Box 908, Bellmawr, NJ 08099.

Visitation will be Monday, August 3, 2020 at 2:00 PM from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Starkville.

Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com