Philip W. BENIFIEL

22 DEC 1924 - 20 JAN 2017

• BIRTH: 22 DEC 1924, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana
• DEATH: 20 JAN 2017, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 17 MAY 1947, St Casimer, South Bend, In

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[N16127] Philip W. Benifiel
Dec. 22, 1924 - Jan. 20, 2017

SOUTH BEND - It is with great sadness that the family of Philip W. Benifiel shares the news of his passing on Friday, January 20, 2017. He was born to the late Claude and Ida (Lehman) Benifiel in Elkhart, Indiana, on December 22, 1924. He married Alvina (Eileen) Romanowski on May 17, 1947, in Saint Casimir Catholic Church, South Bend. He is survived by his wife, Alvina (Eileen), his daughter, Sheryl Benifiel Coffman (Reed), and by his son, Bruce Benifiel (Loraine), and his three grandsons, Blake, Chase, and Ethan Benifiel. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Virginia (Stanley) Jurek, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John, brother-in-law, Raymond Romanowski, and sister-in-law, Rita Andrysiak. His good sense of humor and cheer touched all of those with whom he conversed. He valued his friendships highly and was always the life of the party. Phil worked 41 years at the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company, Twin Branch Electric Plant, as a maintenance supervisor. He was on the I&M bowling and golf teams and served as their banquet master of ceremonies. His greatest enjoyment was their annual golf outing. Phil was an avid Indiana University basketball and Notre Dame football fan. He was an usher for many years at Notre Dame Stadium. He loved baking cookies at Christmas time and sharing them with family and friends. Phil was a proud U.S. Marine serving his country on nine ships and six different islands in the South Pacific during World War II. He carried his Marine Corps discipline and work ethic in every aspect of his life. Phil was a member of Saint Anthony Parish where he served as an usher for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post 357, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360, Saint Hedwig Golden Cluster, the Michiana Polka Mass Singers, the Vera Seniors Club, and the Sage Brush Kids line-dancing troupe. He was fond of playing poker and euchre with friends and family and going to his grandsons' football, basketball and soccer games. Visitation will be from 5 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25th, at the McGann Hay Funerals / Cremations / Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 S.R. 23, enter off Cherry Rd., where a Rosary will be prayed at 5:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 26, at 11:00 (with visitation one hour prior) at Saint Anthony Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park, 375 W. Cleveland Road, Granger, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Heartland Hospice Care or to Saint Anthony Church. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 22, 2017 -