John Henry Bennink Jr., 68, of Auburn, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. He was born on June 26, 1944, in East Syracuse, to Nora Bennink and the late, John Henry Bennink, Sr. John had many fond memories of his childhood years on Oneida Lake and on Tuttle Road. As a young man, John moved to Auburn, where he met his wife, Dee Dee. John was an army veteran, serving in the combat engineers, in Germany, during the Vietnam War. He retired from Auburn Correctional Facility, after 25 years of service, where he was awarded a citation of valor from New York State. John was a proud member of the Frank Calimeri Veteran's Post. There he served as Quartermaster and was responsible for reviving the annual children's Christmas party, a cause that was dear to him. John will be fondly remembered for his love of family, books, history, classic cars and old country music. He was also an entertaining storyteller, who loved to reminisce. John will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. John was predeceased by his wife, Edith; his father, John Henry Bennink, Sr. and his daughter, Lynda Kay Bennink. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Nora Bennink; his daughters, Teresa (Currier) Clark, Sandi Currier, Kelly (Chris) Kowaleski, and Deanne Bennink; his grandchildren, Jennifer Currier, Tom Clark, Edith Currier, Tiffany Currier, Olivia and Joshua Kowaleski, Hannah Bennink and Dristin Smith; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Molly, Dominick, Max, Jacob and Christopher; sisters, Bonnie (Thomas) Massett, Nora Bennink and Linda (David) Hetherington; brothers, Bruce Bennink, James (Elizabeth) Bennink, Robert Bennink, Mark (Selvina) Bennink, Philip (Peg) Bennink; brother-in-law, David Tanner and several nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends. Calling hours will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at Langham Funeral Home, LLC. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at the funeral home, followed by burial in Soule Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , in memory of John.
