Benny Earl Dent

Benny Earl Dent, age 79 of Mattoon, IL passed away, Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, IL. A funeral service in his honor will be held at noon, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL; Reverend Bill Ramsay will officiate. The visitation will be held the same day at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be held at a later date. Benny was born on September 8, 1944, in Mattoon, IL to the late Rene and Katherine M. (Howard) Dent. He married Linda G. Parkison on June 8,1963 in Galena, IL; she survives and resides in Mattoon, IL. Other survivors include their four children: Lynn Rawling and husband Roger of Mattoon, IL, Chris Dent of Charleston, IL, David Dent and wife Teresa Turner Dent of Mattoon, IL, Sherri Hite and husband Milton of Trilla, IL; six grandchildren: Kierston (Dent) Emberton and husband Cody of Charleston, IL, Dalton Dent of Mattoon, IL, Amanda Livingston and husband Carl of Terre Haute, IN, Madison Dent of Mt. Sterling, IL, Haley Haycraft and husband Harold of Neoga, IL, Tiara Schaljo and husband Wyatt of Charleston, IL; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by one brother and four sisters. Benny retired in 2010 from Caterpillar INC. in Decatur, IL where he worked as a machinist for many years. He was also the owner and operator of Dent’s Crafts Unlimited, Dent’s Mowing Services and Snowplowing. He was a charter member of Broadway Christian Church and was a Lifetime Member of Mattoon Moose Lodge 803 and Mattoon Goldwing Club. Benny was an Eagle Scout who served as a Boy Scout Leader and the first registered male Girl Scout Leader in Mattoon and Quincy, IL. Filled with an immense amount of talent, Benny crafted beautiful leather and woodwork. Traveling on his Honda Goldwing Trike and being at the beach were his favorite pastimes. He was a man that led by example, had great faith, loved God and his country. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all. Benny leaves behind a legacy that touched the lives of many. Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Benny Earl Dent

September 8, 1944 - January 11, 2024