John Benner Obituary

John Paul Benner

John Paul Benner, 94 of Oak Harbor, died Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Riverview Health Care Campus, under hospice care. He was born April 4, 1931, in Tiffin, to the late George W. and Rose A. (Wagner) Benner. He was a graduate of Tiffin Calvert High School. John served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married the former Alice Joanne (Magers), who preceded him in death October 25, 1983. He would later marry Mary B. (Ruggiero) October 23, 1988, and would spend 35 years together before her death March 15, 2024.

John retired from Martin Marietta in 1996, where he specialized in Electronic Industrial Implementation. He had also worked for Erie Army Depot, Honeywell, and Basic Refractories. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Oak Harbor. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Oak Harbor Council No. 1944, and 4th Degree K of C, DeSoto Assembly in Fremont. He loved his family, fishing, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Survivors include his children, Mark (Jean) Benner, Charles (Jodi) Benner, Peter (Jolynn) Benner, Michael (Carol) Benner, Matthew Benner, Teresa Gordon, and John Benner; stepchildren, Laurie (Gene) Baker, Dan Hoffmann, and Joe Hoffmann; grandchildren, Philip (Madeline) Benner, Stephanie (Gavin) Beard, Erica (Jim) Baumer, Jessica (Brian) Skinner, Courtney (Josh) Terry, Chad (Leah) Benner, Curt (Jill) Benner, Mitch (Amanda) Benner, Lauren (Thomas) Wilson, Angela (Jeff) Finn, Ashley Benner, Alison Benner, Adam Benner, Andrew (Katie) Benner, Megan (Evan) Linnabary, Becca Gordon, Derek (Kady) Benner, and Shannon Benner; stepgrandchildren, Nick (Lindsay) Baker, Amanda (Johny) Ibanez, Hannah (Chris Hergesheimer) Hoffmann, Andrew Hoffmann, and Christian Hoffmann; 25 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Sister Georgianna Benner, Helen Shumway, Ruth Boehler Johnson, Bill Benner, Tom Benner and Joe Benner; son-in-law, Jerry Gordon; and daughter-in-law, Stacy Benner.

Visitation will be from 3-7:3- p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 301 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor, OH 43449, where there will be a Knights of Columbus Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 12, 2026, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 215 N. Church Street, Oak Harbor, OH 43449, where the family will receive friends from 10 a.m., with the Rosary being recited at 10:40 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow at Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor, with military honors presented by American Legion Post No. 114, Oak Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Riverview Auxiliary, 8180 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor, OH 43449.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesman.com.