John Thomas Benson, Jr. 91, of Hildreth, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Sunday June 16, 2024 at Bethany Home in Minden Nebraska. His journey to his heavenly home began after suffering from dementia and failing health. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic in Minden with Fr. Evan Winter and Deacon Patrick Shawn Benson officiating. The service will be streamed to the funeral home's Facebook page. Interment with military honors will be held later that day at 1:30 p.m. at the Hildreth Cemetery, east of Hildreth. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Craig Funeral Home in Minden with Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family request memorial contributions in John's honor be given to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

John Thomas Benson, Jr. was born Floyd Leroy Finney in Doylestown, OH on November 12, 1932 to Rial A. and Vera E. (Mansfield) Finney. In July of 1948, he was adopted by John Thomas and Mary Christine (Donnigan) Benson. John was then baptized and confirmed in The Holy Catholic Church. He enlisted into the United States Navy in December 1951 and proudly served on the U.S.S. Briareus. John received a National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his service in the Korean war. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd class petty officer.

John was united in marriage to Clara Mayo Rowe in Portsmouth, VA on April 2, 1954, and to this union four children were born: Christopher Thomas, Mary Catherine, John Kevin, and Patrick Shawn. John began his career as a television engineer in 1957 at WAVY TV Channel 10 in Norfolk, VA, then moved to master control operator at WKBW TV Channel 7 in Buffalo, NY. In 1962, he was employed by WQAD TV in Moline, IL as production manager/senior director and promoted to account executive/regional sales manager.

John began his life and career in Nebraska by moving to Hildreth in 1974. He was employed as general sales manager/ assistant general manager by NTV Channel 4,6,8 and 13 near Kearney. He was active in the Hildreth Lions Club and Hildreth Volunteer Fire Department at that time. In 1980, he moved to Hastings, and became general television manager of KHAS TV where he finished his television career, retiring in 1997.

During his travel though out the United States, he made many lifelong friends. After his retirement, John and Clara settled in Hildreth to enjoy life with their children and grandchildren.

John was an avid outdoorsman and loved to boat, fish and hunt. His other pastime was driving and enjoying the view of the countryside.

John is survived by his four children, Christopher Thomas (Cim) Benson of Moline, IL, Mary Catherine (Dirk) Fisher of Springfield, MO, John Kevin (Colleen) Benson of Hildreth, NE, and Patrick Shawn (Janelle) Benson of Central City, NE; 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Mayo of 49 years; parents; nine siblings, Rial Finney II, Thomas Finney, Else Finney Cloe, Velma Finney Poynter, David Finney, Idella Finney, Ralph Finney, Phyllis Finney McQuade, Earl Finney; his adoptive parents; sister, Mary Elizabeth (Raymond) Maxwell; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Lindy Doyle; son-in-law, Larry Schuttler; grandchildren, Eric Schuttler, Ted Doyle, and Joshua Thomas Benson.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .