September 30, 1932 – June 19, 2016

Mervin “Merv” Benson was born on September 30, 1932 at Saskatoon City Hospital.  He passed away June 19, 2016 at the Victoria Hospital.  Merv was predeceased by his parents Harold and Eva (Sibbald) Benson; his wife Joan (Toon); his wife Lillian (Sauer-Jarnett) and son Mark Benson.  He is survived by his children Debbie (Ralph) Hope, Robert (Wendy) Benson, Marcia (Dale) Turner and Jeff (Mary) Benson; his daughter-in-law Debbie Benson and his children’s mother Marguerite Benson; his step-children Anna Toon, Simon (Barb) Toon, Jonathan (Sherry) Toon, Matthew Toon, Jody Pederson (Rob) and Lisa Sauer (Patrick O’Neil); 21 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sisters Joan (George) Lipsett and Barbara (Bill) Hart; brothers-in-law Bob (Joyce) Flower and Tim (Gwen) Flower; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  He was a Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Saskatchewan.  Merv’s professional career included CKOM Radio ; Sask. Council for Crippled Children and Adults (now Sask. Abilities Council); involved with development of Camp Easter Seal program 1954-57; CFQC Radio/TV; Saskatoon Co-op Association; Saskatchewan Post District; Perry Martens Public Relations & Advertising; J.S. Laxdal & Associations; Prince Albert Public School Division; Weyerhaeuser Canada,  Some of his many community involvements were with Saskatoon United Way; Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition; United Church of Canada; Canadian Public Relations Society; Saskatoon Press Club; Saskatoon Personnel Association; 1971 Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon; 1979 Western Canada Summer Games in Saskatoon; Emma and Christopher Lakes Association; Christopher Emma Lakeland Lions; St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Christopher Lake, SK; Lakeland Recreation Board; Lakeland Seniors Housing Board; Lakeland Volunteer Fire Co-op Board; and Prince Albert Lions Club.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Calvary United Church, 114 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK. with Reverend Nora Vedress officiating.  Private Family Interment at St. Christopher Cemetery, Christopher Lake, SK.  In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Saskatchewan Abilities Council-Camp Easter Seal, 1410 Kilburn Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0J8.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

• Date : 2016-06-19