Obituary, Marvin VanBenschoten

Marvin VanBenschoten, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. He was a longtime resident of Stanfordville, New York, and part time resident of Jupiter, Florida. He was born to the late Arthur and Mildred (nee Coon) VanBenschoten. Marvin was the proprietor of the VanLea dairy farm on Bangall Amenia Road, continuing the business his father began. He loved farming, horses, music, boating, history, travel, sports, and auto racing. He played the trumpet in the Dutchess County Philharmonic Orchestra, renamed the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, for several years after graduating from high school. Marvin traveled to Scandanavia, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Russia. He authored the book, Memoirs of a Farm Boy. He was a member of the Smithfield Presbyterian Church and treasurer for 50 years; and a member of the Amenia Island Cemetery Association, Inc. Marvin loved God and his country. He was predeceased by his spouse of 34 years, Ann VanBenschoten (nee Madsen); spouse of nine years, Elinore Parente; sister Gladys Lazur and her husband, Michael; brother Arthur VanBenschoten, Jr. and his wife, Corrine; brothers-in-law Alfred M. Richardson (“Dick”) and John Pratten; and step-son Gary Parente. Marvin will be dearly missed by his children Marvin James VanBenschoten (Valerie), Marvis (“Cricket”) Warren (Glenn), Wayne VanBenshoten (Susan), and Daryl VanBenschoten (Karen); stepson Alan Parente (Nancy); sisters Doris Richardson and Marjorie Pratten; grandchildren Richard VanBenschoten (Elena), Christopher VanBenschoten (Vanessa), Valerie Bing (Alden), Kyle VanBenschoten, James Kirkwood, Elizabeth Mantzidis (George), Nathan VanBenschoten, Hannah VanBenschoten, Kylie VanBenschoten, and Caleb VanBenschoten. Marvin was delighted to have a great grandson, Wyatt Bing, age 23 months. He had many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. The family would like to thank the nursing staff of the Geer Nursing Home, Canaan, Connecticut, for their wonderful care. Marvin will be interred in the Amenia Island Cemetery, Amenia, New York. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a future date. Those who would like may make donations in Marvin’s memory to the Smithfield Presbyterian Church, 656 Smithfield Valley Road, Amenia, New York 12501.

Author: Harlem Valley News