Terrance Leo ‘Terry’ Benike

ESCANABA — Terrance Leo “Terry” Benike, 81, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning, March 28, 2022, at home with his wife by his side after a lengthy illness.

He was born on March 25, 1941, in Cadillac, Mich., son of Clarence and Mary Virginia (Loughrin) Benike. Terry graduated from Cadillac High School and then attended Northern Michigan University.

Terry served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1964. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal.

He has resided in Escanaba since 1971. Terry had his private pilot’s license and liked parachuting.

On March 23, 2000, Terry married the love of his life, the former Linda Srock. Their marriage was blessed at St. Anne’s Catholic Church on July 15, 2001.

Terry partnered with Robert Johnson, selling real estate under Shir Corporation, while he built his career at Upper Peninsula State Bank as a VP Loan Officer until his retirement.

Snow birding in Florida, Terry and Linda spent 15 glorious years playing tennis, and he coordinated a horseshoe league at their retirement community.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Bark River.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Benike of Escanaba; children, Tonya (Randy) Campbell of Townsend, Tenn. and Michael Benike of Beloit, Wis.; grandchildren, Josh, Angela, Eddie, Kelsey, Kristin, Shayna, and Jessica; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and siblings, Virginia (Alan) Parcells and Debbie (John) Cobe. Terry is further survived by his brothers-in-law, Dennis (Maria) Clark of Milwaukee, Wis. and Nick (Suzy) Srock of Friendship, Wis.; and sisters-in-law, Mary LeQuia of Powers, and Cathy (Donald) Carlson, Lala (Daniel) Hughes, and Rosemary (Gregg) Hendrickson all of Escanaba.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Stanley and Lorraine Srock; and brothers-in-law, Thomas LeQuia and Willard Clark.

Visitation was held on Monday, April 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Bark River, officiated by Rev. Darryl Pepin.

Burial will take place in Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells at a future date.

A memorial in Terry’s name will be established at a later date.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Benike family.