Larry Benner

Husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Larry Charles Benner passed on Jan. 4, 2024 in Pendleton, IN. He was 80 years old.

Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol; son Rob, daughter Lori Bauer (Adrian) and grandchildren Collin and Maiya.

Larry was predeceased by his mother and father, Emma and Charles, and his brother David. Surviving siblings are Sue Smitha (John) and Bill Benner (Sherry).

Larry was born in Indianapolis on Aug. 6, 1943 and lived his early years in a residence on South East Street before the family moved to a farm home on Morgantown Road in Johnson County’s White River Township.

A 1961 graduate of Center Grove High School, Larry attended Indiana State University where he met Carol Reed of Terre Haute on a blind date. They quickly fell in love and were wed on June 19, 1965.

A career in insurance with Grain Dealers Mutual took Larry and Carol to homes in Pineville and Greensboro, N.C., before returning to Indiana and settling in Lapel. Larry then worked for the Howard Webb Insurance Agency in Anderson and concluded his career as a supervisor with Sallie Mae. Upon full-time retirement, Larry then had a successful stint selling homes at Roselake Estates in Pendleton.

An avid golfer, Larry was a late-blooming athlete who competed in swimming at Indiana State, dominated amateur basketball leagues and then continued working the game as a referee in industrial leagues, where he once assessed his brother Bill a technical foul, reinforcing the fact that he was still in charge. He was an avid fan of the Indiana Pacers and rarely missed a Pacers game on television while attending many games in person, compliments of his brother David. Informed that the Pacers were on a winning streak brought one of the last smiles to his face before his passing.

An affable, outgoing man, Larry was absolutely devoted to Carol, his family and neighbors, always making their needs his priority. His personality was such that he could instantly engage anyone. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, including the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lapel, where he and Carol were members.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Community North Hospital, Community North Rehabilitation Hospital and the Rawlins House in Pendleton.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 2-4 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home, 604 W 9th Street, Anderson, IN 46016. A memorial service will follow a 4.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Pacers Foundation David Benner Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donors can go to www.pacersfoundation.org and use the give button to donate directly to the fund. Donors may also send a check designating "David Benner Memorial Scholarship Fund" on the Memo line to the Pacers Foundation at 125 S. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis 46204.