Michigamme – Arthur B. Benson, Sr, age 91, longtime Michigamme resident passed away on Friday February 19, 2016 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had been a resident since 2007.

Arthur was born September 2, 1924 in Michigamme the son of the late Carl A. and Eva M. (Chantalois) Benson. He grew up in Michigamme and was a graduate of the Michigamme High School, Class of 1942. Art entered the United States Army Air Force in March of 1943. He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign during World War II with the 449th Bomb Group known as the Flying Horseman. Art received numerous decorations including the Eame Ribbon with 6 battle stars and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. Art was honorable discharged from the Army Air Force on Oct. 19, 1945.

Art returned to this area and worked for many years on the Railroad as a Fireman and Engineer with the Soo Line Railroad and also the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad. He had also spent five years working on the Ore Boats in the Great Lakes. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion along with the Republic VFW, the Greenwood American Legion and the DAV in Kingsford.

Survivors include his 3 children – Eleanor (Daniel) Grondin of St. Ignace, Arthur B. Benson, Jr. of Fife Lake and Christine (Michael) Cooley of Lansing, 5 grandchildren – Erik Grondin, Amber and Alan Cooley, Brandon and Blake Benson along with a great granddaughter Mila Benson and several cousins including Marshall and Oliver Chantelois.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday May 28, 2016 at the Lakeview Cemetery in Michigamme with Sister Margey Schmelzle officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. A light dessert and coffee will follow at the Michigamme community building.

Art's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.