Karl Benner

Karl Benner 93 passed away Monday August 18, 2008 at Cameron Regional Medical Center. Graveside memorial services and inurnment was held August 20, (today) at 10:00 A.M. at the Old Scotland Cemetery near Jameson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Scotland Cemetery in care of McWilliams Funeral Home in Gallatin.

Karl was born March 19, 1915 to Guy and Julia (Whitney) Benner in Monmouth, Maine. He graduated from Rockland High School in MA. After graduation Karl attended a trade school in Quincy MA. In the early 50’s Karl married Dorothy Louise and lived in Whitman MA to this union Gloria was born.

During World War II he worked in the navel ship yards at Fall River MA., as a machinist.

He was later united in marriage to Natalie Currier January 21, 1956 in Haverhill, MA., to this union Julie was born. The couple made their home in Hampstead NH., where he was employed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Cryogenics Lab. Karl and Dr. Samuel Collins were instrumental in designing the first heart and lung machine. He was employed at MIT for 39 years retiring in 1985. His love for technology kept him going back as a part time employee for five additional years.

In 2005 Karl and Natalie moved to Jameson, MO to be near their daughter Julie and her family.

Karl had a life long love of horses; he spent many hours caring for and preparing them for show. As a young man he could be found playing polo in his spare time. In the later years he became an avid golfer and skier. He was a self taught carpenter and built the staircase in their home in Massachusetts. He enjoyed summer vacations at Lake Ossippe, NH with his family and going to the ocean. Karl was a member of the Plaistow Baptist Church where he loved to sing hymns. He was a long time member of the St. Mark’s Masonic Lodge No. 44 in Derry, NH. Karl’s many talents and his passion for life will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Mathias and Herman Benner and his sister Kathleen Lockwood.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years wife Natalie of the home; daughters, Julie Cox and husband Del Ray, Jameson, MO.; Gloria Knox, Whitman, MA.; three sisters Barbara Gove, Haverhill, MA.; Francis Kimpell, Mechanicsburg, PA.; Beverly Cassara, Cambridge, MA.; and his grandchildren. Sean Stanturf, Jameson, MO., Jennifer and Jason Knox Whiteman, MA. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

On line obituaries at www.mcwilliamsfuneralhomes.com.