Michael Benedict

Michael A. Benedict, of Waukesha, died on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Waukesha Springs at the age of 91.  He was born on November 8, 1916 in Chicago, the son of Jess and Helen (Paladino) Benedict.  Michael was united in marriage to Geraldine “Gerry” Neeck on April 22, 1946; she preceded him in death on October 29, 1989. He graduated from Manley Junior High and Richard Crane Technical High School, both in Chicago.  Mike proudly served his country in the US Army Air Corp during WWII as 2nd Lieutenant Bombardier Navigator.  On May 29, 1944, he parachuted from a burning B-17 after a bombing run, breaking his left ankle when hitting the ground near Mesiritz, Germany.  After being taken to Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany until January 28, 1945, they were marched to Nurnberg, arriving on February 5, 1945.  He was interned at Stammlager XIII P.O.W. camp until leaving on April 3, 1945.  They arrived at Moosberg, Germany on April 5, 1945, and stayed there until April 29 when they were liberated by General Patton’s armored division. Stalag Luft III was the P.O.W. camp where “The Great Escape” took place.  Mike and his wife later remained active with other P.O.W.’s and attended many reunions around the country with other members of the same camp.  He was awarded numerous medals for his service.  After returning to the states, Mike studied at the American Television Institute of Technology in Chicago, graduating in 1951.  He began his career as an engineer at AC Spark Plug in Milwaukee, which later relocated to Oak Creek and became Delco Electronics.  There, he worked on the navigation system for the Apollo space program, retiring after 30 years of employment.  Mike enjoyed traveling, and when his children were young, the family took numerous camping trips around the U.S.  After the children were grown, Mike and his wife also traveled with close friends around the country and outside of the states.  He loved going to northern Wisconsin where his wife grew up to visit family, and staying at their cottage built by his father-in-law and brother-in-laws.  Mike will be sadly missed by his three children:  Michael Benedict of Waukesha, Susan (Randy) Lobotzke of Milwaukee, and Lee (Frank) Wallace of Waukesha; four granddaughters:  Jennifer (Chris) Tews, Julie Benedict, Alexis (John) Randa, and Karly Wallace; four great-grandchildren:  Mitchell Alonso, Mackenzie Alonso, Braeden Tews, and Isabel Randa; two sisters:  Dolly Pedergnana, and Jeanette Wood; former daughter-in-law, Jill (Leo) Paddock; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He is also preceded in death by siblings:  Helen Molinaro, Jesse Benedict, Arthur Benedict, and Evelyn Benedict, and his parents.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2008 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI.  A second visitation will be held on Monday, August 25, from 10:30 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral service at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 1205 S. East Ave., Waukesha.  Rev. Peter Schmidt will preside.  Burial will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.  For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.