Lon Beneda

Lonnie D. Beneda, son of Ernest Beneda and Viola Benyshek was born December 2, 1943 at the  Beiderwell Hospital in Belleville, KS.  He passed on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in the Salina Regional Health Center at the age 69.  Lonnie attended the Jefferson Center country school that was originally one mile south of the Beneda homestead on 220 Rd.  The original school building was moved to the Beneda farm where Lonnie lived his entire life.  Lonnie played football at Cuba high school. After graduation in 1961, he went to work at The Belleville Telescope for Merle Miller and stayed through the sale of the paper to Fred Arnold.  He was proud that he had not retired and had served The Telescope for 51 years. He was united in marriage to Nancy Dart on July 7, 1963 at the Cuba Presbyterian Church. To this union, two children were born:  Danny and Deena.  Nancy and Lonnie shared 50 years of marriage as of their recent anniversary in July of 2013. The two regularly visited garage sales.  Lonnie always said that he never found anything for himself but enjoyed watching Nancy find treasures for their family.  Lonnie enjoyed living in the country with his wife and caring for animals, especially his dogs.   He spent his spare time working on trucks and equipment and was passionate about rebuilding Ford Mustangs.  He collected model cars and old coins and shared his collections with his family.  Lonnie had a way with words, when the usual complications arose on the farm and everyone was at wits end, he could always make them laugh with his sarcastic humor.  He cherished time with his children and grandchildren and taught them the love of nature on fishing trips, frog catching exhibitions, and bug hunts.    As a true Czech, he loved Kolaches and Jaternice and wanted his family to value their heritage.  He appreciated Sunday dinners at Grandma Bonnie Dart’s (Nancy’s mother) followed by watching NSCAR.  When it came to sports, he managed a house divided with Danny a Wildcat and Deena a Jayhawk! He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Beneda Jan. 17 ^th 1979, his mother Viola Benyshek Beneda July 6 ^th of 1969, also a nephew Jeffrey Jandera, and a niece Holly Klink. He is survived by his wife Nancy Dart Beneda; one son, Danny  Beneda and wife Nancy of Cuba, KS; a daughter, Deena Khosh and husband Farhang, of Lawrence, KS; four grandchildren: Cole Beneda of Concordia, KS;  Celsey Beneda of Manhattan,KS;  Nisa and Sina Khosh of Lawrence, KS; and one sister Glennis Trecek and husband Bob of Belleville, Kansas. Friends may sign the register book at Tibbetts-Fischer funeral home Friday, November 22 with family receiving visitors 6-8 that evening.  Services will be held at the Cuba Presbyterian Church Saturday November, 23 at 2:00 pm with Deb Hadachek officiating and burial immediately following the service at Kopsa Cemetery Cuba, KS.  Memorials may be directed to the Kansas Animal Rescue @animal.rescueme.org/Kansas. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas was in charge of these arrangements.