Clarence E Behnken

Clarence E. Behnken, 84, of Oak Harbor, OH died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at St. Charles Mercy Hospital, Toledo, OH. Clarence was born February 2, 1924 at his residence in Oak Harbor to Claus and Bertha Pfeiffer Behnken. On September 11, 1954 Clarence married Joan Kathryn Marie Nehls in St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, and she preceded him in death in 1993. Clarence was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Lutheran Brotherhood, and the Clodbusters Council of Ohio Farm Bureau. A lifetime farmer, Clarence also retired in 1988 from the Ohio Turnpike Commission with 30 years of service. He enjoyed attending auctions and had a special interest in draft horses. During his school years Clarence attended a one- room school house in Salem Township. In 1994 Clarence, with other family members, traveled to Germany where he visited the Behnken family farm and 1479 Behnken marker stone. Surviving Clarence are his sons: William and John Jeannie, and Ted all of Oak Harbor, daughters, Faye Terry Eishen, of Lindsey, Laura Dean Hammer, of Oak Harbor, and Margaret Szabo, of Oak Harbor; 10 grandchildren; sisters, Orlena Wagner and mother-in-law, Nell Nehls. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, and wife Joan, sisters, Regina Risch, Leona Longanbach, Loretta Joseph, and son-in-law, Steve Szabo. The family would like to extend a thank you to special friends Martha McCoy and Marcia Hyde for all their love and care. Visitation for Clarence will be Tuesday June 3, 2008 from 2-8 pm in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home and Crematory. Services will be conducted Wednesday June 4, 2008 at 11am at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor. Interment will take place at Roose Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Memorial contributions in memory of Clarence may be directed to St. Pauls Lutheran Church.