Bennie Lewis , August 01, 1924 — October 23, 2018

Bennie Lewis, 94 Bennie Lewis, longtime area resident, passed away October 23, 2018 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility where he had been a resident for the last two years. His family will lay him to rest on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasantview Cemetery in Pleasantview Township, where Bennie had resided for most of his life. Bennie was born in Conway on August 1, 1924 to Frederick “Seymour” and Martha (Barnard) Lewis.

He grew up in Conway and attended the Conway Country School. In March of 1943 Bennie was inducted into the United States Army. He was assigned to the Quarter Master Corps, where he was part of a unit that developed and tested equipment for use in jungle warfare.

He then assisted in the training of pack animals for the CBI (China, Burma, India) theater of operations. From 1944-1945 he served as a heavy truck operator during the invasion of the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1947.

Following his release from active duty, Bennie returned home to Northern Michigan. He found employment as in interstate trucker for 20 + years. He also worked for a time with Petoskey Plating Company and in the construction trades; one of many that helped build the structures within Boyne Highlands.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid outdoorsman. Bennie married the former Alene M. (Ilgen) Hickman on his birthday, August 1, 1964, in Harbor Springs. In his younger years he tended to be quiet and stoic, showing his love of family primarily through actions and less through words.

His senior years brought him closer and closer with his children whom he deeply appreciated and loved. Bennie’s surviving family includes his children, Gary (Mary) Hickman of Harbor Springs and Jayne (Duke) Weller of Butler, Ohio. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Bennie was preceded in death by his wife Alene, and by his two sons, Thomas and Clyde Hickman.

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