William (Bill) Daniel VanBenschoten

William Daniel (Bill) VanBenschoten, 69, of Cleveland, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 15, 2013. He was born on December 27, 1943 to the late Walter P. and Dorothy H. VanBenschoten in Poughkeepsie, NY. Bill graduated from Arlington High School in 1962 and went on to receive numerous academic degrees including a Master of Arts from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, and an Educational Doctorate from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. In 1969 he married Mary Jane Harper and they made their home in Pleasant Valley, NY. He was a life-long member of Faith Assembly of God Church, Poughkeepsie, where he served as church treasurer for more than thirty years. Upon moving to Cleveland, the VanBenschotens attended Westmore Church of God. He was employed by the New York State Department of Corrections for twenty-five years as a teacher, educational director and deputy superintendent. As the first heart transplant recipient at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, Bill was an advocate for organ donation. He was an avid sports fan and devoted father and grandfather. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Mary Jane VanBenschoten and brother, Wallace VanBenschoten. Bill is survived by his wife Mary Jane Harper VanBenschoten; his sons and daughters-in-law, William and Megan VanBenschoten, Richmond, VA; David and Anna VanBenschoten, Richmond, VA; and his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Tom Marino, Cleveland, TN; six beloved grandsons: Tommy Marino, Matthew Marino, Ryan Marino, Carter VanBenschoten, Lucas VanBenschoten, and Andrew VanBenschoten; his twin brother, Walter VanBenschoten, Richmond, VA, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Grissom Funeral Home chapel at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 with Pastors Kelvin Page and Wendell Smith of Westmore Church of God officiating. . Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Crum Elbow Rural Cemetery, Hyde Park, NY. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service. Arrangements are being handled by Grissom Funeral Home, Mark S. Grissom, Funeral Director. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the VanBenschoten family guest book at www.grissomfh.net.