Walter A. Bensman, 79, of 310 South Ash Street, Saint Marys, Ohio, and a resident of Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community since 2009, died 9:10 A.M. Thursday, September 2, 2010, at Otterbein Saint Marys.

He was born April 2, 1931, in Celina, the son of Henry and Cornelia (Ellerbrock) Bensman.

He married Anita Millisor on September 12, 1953, and she survives at Otterbein Saint Marys.

He is also survived by his three children: Gary (Judy) Bensman of Martinsburg, West Virginia; Thomas (Sarni) Bensman of Taiwan; Carol (Eric) Foell of Wilmington, Ohio; by five grandchildren: Lyndsey (Jeff) Barr; Jennifer Bensman; Kelsey Foell; Bennett Bensman and Bayley Foell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by two infant siblings; by four sisters: Henrietta DuPuis; Elizabeth Kendall; Naomi Krick; Roseann Christman.

Walt was a 1949 graduate of Celina High School and attended Diesel Engineering school. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during the Korean War. He retired from the Saint Marys Foundry Company and had also operated a Sohio Distributorship. In retirement he worked as a substitute bus driver for the Saint Marys City Schools.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys; the Knights of Columbus; American Legion Post 323. He enjoyed traveling and reading.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Father James Seibert, celebrant. Burial will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Monday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, where memorial donations may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church or Grand Lake Hospice..