COTTONWOOD, Ariz.-- Gary L. Benesh, 59, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, May 8, 2006, at Cottonwood.

He was born Sept. 21, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, son of Marvin M. and Virginia Vranek Benesh. He and Janet Alexander were married in June 1967 at Belle Plaine, Iowa. In 2003, they moved to Cape Girardeau.

He graduated from the HLV High School at Victor, Iowa, in 1964. Benesh had been employed at Pioneer Corn in Tama, Iowa, Harden Electric and the Tama Packing Co. Later he was employed by Swift & Co. in Marshalltown. He was an Army reservist for 12 years, a member of the Tama American Legion post and former member of the Tama Volunteer Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Chad Benesh of Clive, Iowa, Aaron Benesh of Terre Haute, Ind., Sean Benesh of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter, Tina Benesh of Marshalltown; a sister, Marva Grantham of Marion, Iowa; a brother, Nathan Benesh of Grinnell, Iowa; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Estel Perrin Avey Funeral Home in Marshalltown.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Gail Thiessen officiating. Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. at Rector Cemetery near Chelsea, Iowa.