Howard R. Bence

Howard R. Bence, 87, of Princeton, formerly of Ladd, passed away January 3, 2021 at Manor Court in Peru with his wife at his side.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday at the Walnut Community Bible Church in Walnut with Pastor Eldon Cook officiating. The service will be live streamed via the Walnut Community Bible Church Facebook page for those unable to attend. Those attending are required to wear masks. The Hurst Funeral Home in Ladd is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Bence was born in Dover on May 16, 1933 to Howard and Elizabeth (Stevens) Bence. He served with the United States Army stationed in France during the Korean Conflict with a MASH unit from 1953 to 1955. In 1952, he met Diane Whitaker at the Les-Buzz Ballroom, and then they married in 1956. He worked Bakelite in Ottawa and retired in 1999 at ESK in Hennepin. He then worked at Bailey’s Goldrush in Peru.

Mr. Bence enjoyed working, making the bags game Corn Hole, going camping, traveling to Nashville with friends to listen to bluegrass music. He also enjoyed discussing his favorite president Harry S. Truman.

Mr. Bence is survived by his wife Diane of Peru; one son Peter (Shari) Bence of Princeton; seven grandchildren Nicole Bence, Jeremy Bence, Kayla (Russell) Mantooth, Christopher (Suzanne) Bence, Curtis (Rosa) Bence, Ashleigh (Roosevelt) Fenelus, and Zachary (Eileen) Bence; several great grandchildren; two sisters Barbara Harris of Amboy and Mary Sissel of Princeton; and one sister-in-law Mary Bence of Granville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, one son Howard “Howie” Bence, one brother Robert Bence, four brother-in-laws Oliver Harris, Ronald Greening, Dale Sissel, and Richard Whitaker, and one sister-in-law Sandra Whitaker Greening.

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