Glendon Benda

Glendon Stewart Benda, 89, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Glendon was born Jan. 15, 1934, in Enid to Joseph and Bess Stewart Benda. Glendon attended Kingfisher High School before he enlisted in the Kingfisher National Guard 45th Division and was activated in 1950 for the Korean Confl ict.

On May 19, 1953, Glendon married Jo Meyer in Okarche, but they spent most of their marriage and raised four children in Kingfi sher.

They were excited about celebrating their upcoming 70th wedding anniversary.

Glendon’s career took him to the Kingfisher Times & Free Press, the Kingfisher Fire Department and sexton of the Kingfisher Cemetery. Glendon retired in 1991 and he and his wife traveled to Korea, Canada, Hawaii and took bus tours to many different states and made new friends along the way.

Glendon’s hobbies included woodworking, where he made each of his grandchildren a cedar chest.

His favorite hobby for the last 57 years was gardening. He grew every fruit and vegetable there was.

He loved to share the fruits of his labor with family, friends and neighbors.

Glendon is survived by his wife, Jo, of the home; four children, Cathy Langley of Lake Charles, La., David Benda and Jeff Benda of Okarche, and Scott Benda (Cheryl) of Yukon; grandchildren Megan, Danielle, Lacey, Austin, Paige, Dustin, Heather, Shandra and David; three great-grandchildren, Bex, Emilio and Lincoln.

Glendon was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother and two infant sons, Donald and Daniel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 13, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with burial following at Kingfisher Cemetery.