Henry James Benak

April 03, 2022-May 06, 2024 Henry James Benak lived in Chicago, Illinois, where he was born to immigrants Henry (Jindrich, 1898-1978) and Christine Sindelar (Kristína Šindelířová, 1899-1988) Benak on April 3, 1922. He attended Burns School and Farragut High School. The family moved in 1939 to a farm in Tipton County, Indiana, where Henry graduated from Windfall High School in 1941. He began work in machine shops in Marion, Indiana, and in Elwood, Indiana. Upon receiving a U.S. Army draft notice at this country’s entry into World War II, Henry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He preferred riding a ship to marching through a war. His duties began with machinist training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, in Illinois. He then chauffeured officers in San Francisco and had Shore Patrol duty in Bremerton, Washington. Following the completion in July 1944 of repairs required from the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S.S. West Virginia became Henry’s home for the remainder of the war. Henry received five Asiatic-Pacific Meritorious Combat Performance Awards for service at the Battles of Surigao Strait, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He also received three Philippine Liberation Awards, two American Campaign Awards, 2 WW II Victory Awards, and one Legion of Merit Award. The West Virginia received a kamikaze plane hit at one battle, but damage to the ship was insufficient to stop its continued action. Henry was with thousands of U.S. and allied military personnel and diplomats for the formal surrender of Japan in Tokyo, where he observed a bay full of U.S. and allied military “ships, as far as you could see.” Henry married Margaret Eleanor Davies on November 28, 1947, in Elwood, Indiana, where they lived for six months before moving to Anderson. He worked at Forse Tool & Die and in Guide Lamp’s tool room until he opened Quality Tool & Die, eventually renamed B & G Quality Tool & Die. Henry became an excellent trap and skeet shooter. He won a state High-Over-All Championship and numerous class awards. Henry became an unofficial Coach at the Daleville Gun Club. He enjoyed fishing of all types in various states and Canada. Henry’s beloved and beautiful Margaret died October 02, 2015, after almost 68 years of marriage. On that day he opened his heart to accepting Jesus Christ into his life. Henry’s loving and dear parents predeceased him, as did his brother-in-law James C. Terwilliger. Surviving Henry are his children Henry Thomas (Patricia) Benak, Dr. Susan Gail Benak, Dr. David Rhys (Sue) Benak, and Dr. Janis Carol Benak (Dr. Douglas) Day; his grandchildren Dr. Kelly Renee Benak (Dr. Mark Armstrong), Jennifer Lynn Benak, Keturah Leigh Benak (Keith Nimlo), Ezekiel Gregory Day, Alexander Galen Day, Rhys Andrew Day, Ens. Ryan Henry Day, USN, and Quinton Thomas Day; great-grandsons Nikko Michael Nimlo and Nolan Benak Nimlo; and great-granddaughter Luciana Joanne Nimlo. Also surviving are Henry’s dear sister, Dorothy Elizabeth Benak Terwilliger, nephews Michael James (Laura) Terwilliger, Jeffrey Alan (Cindy) Terwilliger, Timothy Brian (Angela) Terwilliger, and Christopher John Terwilliger; and niece Barbara Ann Terwilliger (John) Doucette. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Marilyn Davies Skinner and Martha Jane Davies Ashba; brothers-in-law David James Davies and Lloyd Eldon (Carol) Wentz; and multiple nieces-in-law and nephews-in-law. The Benak family thanks all from Elara Caring for providing excellent and kind hospice care for our dear father’s final years of health care and comfort.

Henry James Benak

April 3, 1922 - May 6, 2024