Russell Earle Benninger

February 4, 1929 - March 16, 2018

Russell "Earle" Benninger, 89, of Butler, PA, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at VNA Inpatient Hospice. He was born February 4, 1929 in Butler, PA, the son of the late Michael L. and Agnes (Sweeney) Benninger. Russ was a member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Austria and Southern Germany. He played basketball and boxed for the Butler Cubs and ran track in high school. He volunteered at the VA Hospital pushing wheelchair patients to daily mass. Russ worked 36 years at Armco Steel in the combustion department. He also worked for the Butler Ice Company, Firestone Tires and Chandlers Bakery. He also coached little league in Meridian. Russ enjoyed playing with his 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was a great supporter of any sport one of his relatives or friends children participated in. Russ was famous for his very vocal support of the players and his advice for the officials. He never missed an opportunity to spend time at his camp on the Allegheny River where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also liked to bowl in the Armco bowling league. Surviving are wife, Janet Mae (Sweesy) Benninger of Butler; daughter, Rebecca (Jeff) Cypher of Evans City; 3 sons, Russell (Barb) Benninger Jr., Douglas (Laura) Benninger and Richard Benninger all of Butler; 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; sister, Lorane Scott of Butler; brother, Paul (Carolyn) Benninger of Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald and William Benninger and brother-in-law, Victor Scott. Friends will be received at Young Funeral Home, Ltd., 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, on Monday, March 19, 2018 from 2-4 7-9PM. Services will be held at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler on Tuesday, March 20th at 10AM with Father Harry Bielewicz officiating. Interment in Calvary Cemetery.