Alvin ‘Red’ Benson

Alvin E. Benson, 96, of Creston died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at Powers Funeral Home, junction of highways 34 and 25, in Creston. The Rev. Dale Porter will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Visitation with family present will be from 1 to 2 p.m. service time Saturday at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be given by Theodore J. Martins, Post 1797, Creston V.F.W. A reception will follow at the Lions Club in Clearfield sponsored by the ladies of Clearfield Methodist Church.

Red, son of Vester A. Benson and Joy Love Porter, was born July 16, 1920, in Creston. He graduated from Creston High School when he joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper in WWII. On Feb. 14, 2013, Red received his Purple Heart after 70 years.

On March 31, 1946, Red married Dorothy Lucille Perkins at University EUB Church in Kansas City, Kansas. He was a farmer and community veterinarian for many years. In addition, he owned and operated A-1 Guaranteed Sewer Cleaning in Denver, Colorado, from 1971 to 1982, when he retired and moved back to his hometown of Creston.

Red served on the Creston City Council from 1986 to 1998. He was an active member of the VFW in Creston and American Legion in Clearfield.

Red is survived by his daughters, Melinda Kuhns of Des Moines, Barbara Herrera of Denver, Colorado, and Pamela Deardorff of Clearfield; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Red was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dorothy Benson and sisters, Donna Swanson and Clair B. Lininger.