Edwin E. Benjamin, 93, of Wabash, died peacefully at 10:17 a.m. Sunday morning, Oct. 18, 2015, at Wellbrooke of Wabash following a difficult battle with cancer.

He was born March 4, 1922, in Monticello, to Grover and Verdie (Wilson) Benjamin.

In 1940, Ed graduated from Monticello High School and later attended Indiana University in Bloomington. He was a World War II U.S. Navy Veteran serving as a gunner on the destroyer USS Claxton (DD571) in the Pacific Theater. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the family home on Lake Shafer.

Life changed one summer night when a beautiful, young brunette and her sister drove to Monticello to dance to big band music at the famous Indiana Beach Ballroom. There she met a young sailor just home from World War II who literally swept her off her feet. She returned several nights later and the brunette and the sailor danced until their feet ached. Ed married Harriet Jean Mitten in Goodland, on Dec. 27, 1946; she died July 13, 2014.

Ed was a Staff Manager at Prudential Insurance, retiring after nearly 40 years.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Rotary, the Toastmasters Club, VFW Post 286, a life-member of the Elks Lodge, and a longtime member of the Country Club, all of Wabash. Ed enjoyed playing golf and tennis and was a lively card player. He lived at Wellbrooke of Wabash since January 2015.

He is survived by his son: Chris (Janice) Benjamin, Waterford, Mich.; three grandsons: Scott (Kim) Benjamin, Roswell, Ga.; Mike (Molly) Benjamin, White Lake, Mich.; Rob Benjamin, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; three great-grandchildren: Maggie Benjamin, Roswell, Ga.; Grant Benjamin, White Lake, Mich.; and Carson Benjamin, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; siblings: Edith Mize, Dixon, Tenn.; Jim (Lindy) Benjamin, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Shirley Dellerson, Oceanside, Calif.; and Louise Atherholt, Fort Pierce, Fla.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; son: Mark Benjamin; daughter: Marcia Benjamin; two brothers: Russ and Bob Benjamin; and two sisters: Mary Wilhelm and Ruby Ziegler.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Rev. Gary Beck of Chattanooga officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday.

Suggested memorials to: Wabash-Miami Hospice Program or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at Fort Wayne, Lutheran Hospital Respiratory Department.

The brunette’s been holding her dance card open and the sailor has just entered the ballroom.