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Edward Behnen

November 18, 1925 - June 30, 2014
Dearborn Heights, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, July 12, 2014
4:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020
Driving Directions

Visitation

Sunday, July 13, 2014
1:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020

A Rosary will be held on Sunday at 4:00pm

Driving Directions

Service

Monday, July 14, 2014
10:00 AM EDT
St, Anselm Catholic Church
17650 W. Outer Drive
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
(313) 565-4808

In state Monday 9:30am, until time of Mass, at St. Anselm.

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Wounded Warrior Project
1 (877) 832-6997
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Cardwell Florist
(734) 421-3567

Life Story / Obituary


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A friend to all who were within his reach, Edward Behnen was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was hardworking, intelligent, and articulate with a strong work ethic as his constant companion. Edward was a devoted family man who was filled with unspeakable joy to witness his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were his greatest source of pride and joy. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Edward created a lifetime of priceless memories with his friends and loved ones that they will forever cherish.

The decade that is often recalled as the Roaring Twenties was one of the most exciting times we have ever witnessed as a nation. Innovation was fueling advancements in technology that transformed the way we lived our everyday lives in nearly every way. Radios brought the world around us within our reach, legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball America’s favorite pastime, and Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took the world of flight to new heights. Amidst this exciting time there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Creve Coeur, Missouri, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on November 18, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. Edward Patrick was welcomed into the world by his parents, Edward and Ellen (O’Connor) Behnen, and he was raised in the family home located on an apple orchard.

In many ways Edward experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation. His father was a hardworking farmer while his mother focused her attention on being at home. With a love for golf Edward spent some time working as a caddy at the Westwood Country Club. He also enjoyed working on trucks. He was a student at local schools including St. Monica’s during his earliest years, and he later went on to graduate from Chaminade College Preparatory School.

By the early 1940s the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were sent to fight in WWII after the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. During this time Edward served in the United States Navy aboard the USS San Marcos.

Once again a civilian, Edward set about establishing a career that he enjoyed. For several years he was the owner and operator at Algers Trucking Company in Romulus. Additionally, Edward worked for Penske Truck Hiker in Allen Park, Michigan, and he was also a member of the Teamsters.

Throughout his life there was nothing that was more precious to Edward than his family. He was blessed to be a father of three wonderful daughters, Dorothy, Kathy, and Patsy, and through them he became Papa to Lynn, Chris, Laura, Walt, Lisa, Greg, Jennifer, Michael, Faith, Hailee, Gregory Jr., Brooke, Melia, Karleigh, and Makena as well as Grandad to John, Eric, Danny, Michael, David, and Joey. From here Edward’s family continued to expand as he became Pops to Fred and Delane and their families.

In addition to being with his family, Edward’s life was enriched in numerous other ways. He enjoyed traveling and took memorable trips to Colorado in 1997, St. Louis in 2010 and again in 2011, and trips to both Golden Eagle, Illinois, and Mackinac Island in 2012. Over the years Edward also traveled to Florida numerous times. When it came to sports his favorite teams were both the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Edward enjoyed being informed and most often caught the O’Reilly Factor at night, and he also liked reading anything about the stock market or politics.

Described as gentle, kindhearted, and sincere, there was no one who met Edward Behnen and left unchanged. As his family and friends can attest he was someone who could be depended upon as his word was as good as gold, and he was more than happy to lend a hand in any way he could. Edward was everyone’s best friend and a loving family man who cherished nothing more than being surrounded by the ones he treasured most. Life will never be the same without him here, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

Edward Patrick Behnen died on June 30, 2014. Family will receive friends on Saturday, 4-9 p.m. and Sunday 1-9 p.m. with a Rosary at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass Monday 10:00am at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 17659 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn Heights with instate 9:30 a.m. until Mass begins. Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials, in memory of Edward Behnen, to the Wounded Warrior Project would be greatly appreciated by the family.

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