He was the son of Russell C. Benke, Sr., Scranton and the late Marie Ann Switala Benke. He was employed as a mechanic assembler for Loveshaw, South Canaan.

    He was a loving and caring son, brother, uncle and friend to everyone he met. He would give anything he had to anyone who needed it and make you laugh even on a bad day. He was an avid NASCAR and dirt track fan, who idolized Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. He loved helping his brother Jack with his race car at Moc-A-Tek Speedway, hunting, fishing, living in the country and spending time with all of his good friends in the Waymart and South Canaan areas of Wayne County. He was loved and will be missed by everyone he came into contact with.

    Also surviving is a sister, Nancy Morgan and her husband James, Scranton; three brothers, Jack, Scranton, Russell C. Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Scranton, Carl and his wife Marietta, Harrisburg; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

    The funeral will be Friday with services at 10 a.m. in the Miller Bean Funeral Home, Inc., 436 Cedar Avenue, Scranton. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.