John Bench

Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend, John Rees Bench passed away peacefully on September 8, 2015 in Highland, Utah of causes incident to cancer and age. Dad was born February 20, 1927 in Provo Utah, the third child of Rees Edward Bench and Georgia Eden Christensen. He attended school in Provo, Utah and Brigham Young University, where he graduated with a BS degree in chemistry. While at BYU he met Iris Dawn Bigler. They were married on April 9, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. After working as a chemist for Geneva Steel, Dad continued his education at Northwestern Dental School in Chicago, Illinois. Following dental school, they made their home in Orem, Utah, where they raised their family and where dad lovingly cared for his patients for 35 years. Dad was in perpetual motion. He was inexhaustible in giving service and caring for others. He strived to instill his incredible work ethic to his children. We have fond memories of early mornings at the welfare farm, picking cherries at our home, cleaning his dental office, and weeding our garden together, along with travel, laughter, and ice cream. There were few household projects beyond his ability, and few things that he wouldn't try. His independent nature was evident as he continued to care for his home and yard, even when his health made it difficult. Dad had a wonderfully dry sense of humor, and would laugh as hard at his own jokes as we would. Dad had an enduring and powerful testimony of our Heavenly Father, our Savior, and of the restored gospel. He loved his family and taught them the gospel through example and faithful service. Dad served with a sincere heart in his church callings throughout his life. He served an LDS mission to the Netherlands, and enjoyed serving a mission with his sweetheart Iris, at the Liberty Jail in Missouri. Dad proudly served in the United States Navy, and was member of the Kiwanis Club in Orem for many years. Dad is survived by his children; John (Elvera) Bench of Abingdon, VA, Gretta (Phil) Millett of Salt Lake City, UT, Ellen (Gary) Blair of Cedar Hills, UT, Andrew (Kerrie) Bench of South Jordan, UT, Jennifer (Garrett) Seely of Alpine, UT. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Sterling and Donna Bench of Provo, Brother-in-law Mark Bigler of Ogden, Sister-in-law Margaret Whatcott of Orem, 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Iris, his parents, two infant children, Richard and Marsha, infant granddaughter Madeleine Seely, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Louis Bandley, sister-in-law Melva Bigler. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00pm Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Sharon Stake Center located at 545 South 800 East in Orem. The family will meet with friends on Friday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State, Orem and Saturday at 11:30am, at the church, prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com. Our family would like to express our warmest appreciation to the employees of First Choice Hospice for their wonderful care and love, and to the staff of The Ashford Care Facility in Highland, Utah for the respect and kindness they have shown to our Father. We are very grateful to his friends and ward members for their service and friendship through the years.

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