Arthur F. Benz, Jr.
Arthur “Art” Benz, Jr., age 96, of Japan, MO, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, December 27, 2019 surrounded by his family.
Art was born March 31, 1923 in St. Louis, MO, the second child and eldest son of Arthur F. Benz, Sr. and Clara H. Goethe. He was baptized at All Saints Catholic Church, grew up and attended school as a boy at All Saints Grade School and graduated from McBride Catholic High School in 1941. Art worked after school for the family-owned Bartmer Laundry in University City, MO from the age of ten through high school. He then managed the business until it closed in 1947. This is where he learned to build and repair anything mechanical. His first car was a 1922 Model T Sedan which he bought from his father when he was sixteen. He, his brothers, cousins and neighborhood friends took the car to Meramec State Park to camp.
It was at a dance at Presentation Catholic Church where he met Helen Glover who would become his first wife. They married August 27, 1955 and together they lived in Overland, MO. To this union two children were born: Jim and Jean. Art changed jobs and began working for Cupples Products as a draftsman. He then attended night classes at Washington University and eventually became a structural engineer. Cupples Products was a leader in designing curtain wall structures of which they built buildings globally. Some of the projects that Art worked on included, the Air Force Chapel in Colorado Springs, the Sears Tower in Chicago, and the Twin Towers in New York. He retired in 1985 after working in Australia for six months. Earlier in their marriage, Art and Helen purchased a weekend property in Japan, MO. Through the years they enjoyed many memories there, including time spent visiting cousins. Helen passed away suddenly on July 9, 1982.
In 1986, Art attended a wedding with his daughter. There, he reconnected with an old friend, Rosemary StrothKamp. Rosemary had been a close friend and cousin of Helen’s and had even been the maid-of-honor in their wedding. Rosemary had lost her husband, James, at about the same time Helen had died. Art and Rosemary began attending square dances together and soon after they married August 25, 1987. They built a home on the property Art had purchased with Helen earlier in life. After twenty-four years of marriage, Rosemary’s health began to decline due to Alzheimer’s. She passed away in 2011.
Over the years, Art loved golfing, woodworking, dancing, fishing, and traveling. He especially loved Model T cars. Art was an active member of the Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, as well as the local Knights of Columbus chapter.
Art is survived by his children, James Benz and his wife, Sue of Shawnee, KS and Jean Benz of O’Fallon, MO; stepchildren: Ann Fisher and husband, Keith of Rosebud, MO, Mike Strothkamp and wife, Debbie of Japan, MO, Wayne Strothkamp of Sullivan, MO, Dale Strothkamp and wife, Kelly of Japan, MO and Bobby Strothkamp and wife, Tracy of Owensville, MO; three grandchildren: David Gibbar of St. Charles, MO, Terri Steiniger of Carlisle, AR and Douglas Dean and his wife, Jenni of Shawnee, KS; numerous Strothkamp grandchildren and great grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Wagner of Winghaven, MO and Jane Eise and her husband, Denny of Maryland Heights, MO.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Helen and Rosemary; his parents; two brothers, Ed Benz and Glennon Benz; a sister, Dorothy Wagner; a step son, Jim Strothkamp; and a step grandson, Brandon Fisher.
Memorial contributions may be made in Art’s memory to the Holy Martys of Japan Church, Japan, MO.
Funeral Mass were 11 a.m., Saturday, January, 4, 2020 at Holy Martyrs of Japan Church with Father Tim Henderson celebrating. Burial followed at Holy Martyrs Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation was held 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2020 at the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan. Visitation continued on Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Holy Martyrs Church in Japan.
Condolences may be shared with Art’s family online at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan.