Sylvester "Butch" Benckendorf Jr.

Sylvester "Butch" Benckendorf, 82, of Streator, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Hines VA Hospital, with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 8, at 11 am at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Reverend Seamus Enright officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.

Born in Streator, Illinois, on October 20, 1943, to Josephine (Krasnican) and Sylvester Benckendorf, Butch was a lifelong resident and a graduate of Streator High School. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed motorcycles, snowmobiling, and boating down the Vermilion River.

Butch was both a gentle man and a gentleman. He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran, having served in the Artillery Unit during the Vietnam War. Following his service, he worked as a Technical Engineer and Surveyor, retiring as a 50+ year member of L.U. 130, Technical Engineers/Surveyors. His impressive career included surveying land and power lines across Illinois, contributing to Nuclear Power Stations and State Highways, and working on iconic Chicago buildings, notably the Shedd Aquarium. He later held a position at St. Mary's Hospital.

He was married to the love of his life, Christine (Brown), and they recently celebrated thirty-five years of marriage.

Butch is survived by his beloved wife, Christine; his daughters, Theresa Benckendorf (who resides at home), and Chris (Eric) Isermann of Streator. He is also survived by his dear sister, SallyJo (Larry) Bomke of Springfield; a brother; a sister; two half-sisters; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and brother- and sisters-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and Sylvester; his brother, Donald; his great-granddaughter, Lexi; and his sister-in-law, Sheila Smith-Rawlins.

The family would also like to express their gratitude to his cousin, Jane Lowe; friends Cindy Pollard, Al and Joanne Kammerer; and nieces Casey Walker, Natalie Bomke-Swiderski, Angela Bullock and Faith Kovall, for their love and support during his illness.

In honor of Butch, the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Memorial contributions may also be made to Streator Unlimited. To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.