LaVerne "Vern" C. Benson

LaVerne "Vern" Carl Benson, age 93, passes away on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Visitation will be held at 4pm until 8pm on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at Sharp Funeral Homes & Cremation Center in Grand Blanc.

Visitation will resume the following day at 11am until the time of the Funeral Service at 12pm on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center 6063 Fenton Rd, Grand Blanc. Vern will be laid to rest with military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your local library. Those wishing to write condolences may do so by visiting his obituary page which can be found at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Vern was born on December 5, 1932 in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, to Axel and Libby Faiman Benson. He is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Beverly, who passed on August 7, 2007; his parents; and his siblings, Doris Herkeret, David, Leland, and Thelma Dowd. Vern graduated from Cassadaga Valley Central School in 1951, where he earned the nickname "Charles Atlas" for his athletic prowess in school sports and bodybuilding. He attended Jamestown Community College on a scholarship, then was invited to join the U.S.Army and serve in Germany during peacekeeping missions after WWII. Vern proudly remained with the U.S. Army Reserves following active duty, retiring in 1992 with 37 years of service. In 1957 he met the love of his life, Beverly Bazley, at the roller-skating rink at Midway Park, in Chautauqua County, New York. They married and started a family in Dewittville, New York. An avid "car guy", Vern enjoyed working on and fixing cars, classic and otherwise, for most of his life. His career with GM began at a local Chevy dealership, and he eventually advanced to the position of Training Instructor at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), which relocated the family to Fenton, Michigan in 1972. Vern became involved with the Flint Soap Box Derby in 1977, and served as the district Derby Director for many years. Vern and Bev made dozens of friends through derby, with whom they stayed close. After his retirement in 1992, he and Bev bought an RV and hit the road. They joined the Holiday Rambler RV Club and traveled to every state in the lower 48, and also joined a caravan trip to Alaska in 1995. They bought a home in the country in Linden, Michigan where Vern built the pole barn he'd always wanted, to house all his car-related hobbies. Vern enjoyed traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastimes included reading, model railroading, watching the Tigers, jigsaw puzzles, and playing cards and dominos. In 2012 he enjoyed a two week trip to Hawaii with Beth and Gary and could finally say he'd seen all 50 states. He was close to his siblings, and journeyed to visit them whenever possible. Vern was a mentor and friend to many. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his children: Beth (Gary Brancaleone) of Rochester, Michigan, Keith of Swartz Creek, Michigan, and Todd (Charlene) of St. Augustine, Florida; daughter-in-law, Melanie Benson of Fenton, Michigan; He is also survived by his grandchildren: Dylan (fiance Lian Hung) Benson of Oak Park, Michigan, Emily Benson of Cleveland, Ohio, Logan Benson of Swartz Creek, Michigan, and Joseph and Isabella Benson of St. Augustine, Florida; great-grandson, Elliot; Vern is survived by many nieces and nephews across the country. He will be especially missed by his niece, Kathryn Benson of Sunnyvale, Texas, her children and grandchildren, with whom he visited often. His family wishes to thank the staff and his many friends at the Abbey Park retirement community in Grand Blanc, especially his dear friend Christine Curzenski.Vern regularly attended South Mundy Methodist Church in Grand Blanc.