Edmund Bench

Edmund Bench Jr. age 69 of Bridgeland, Utah passed away on June 26, 2015. He was born October 30, 1945 to Edmund Ole and RoseAnna Tidwell Bench.
Edmund graduated from Duchesne High in 1963. He attended college at BYU before serving in the West Spanish American mission for the LDS church.
He served two years with distinction as a Marine in Vietnam. While serving in Vietnam, he earned many honorable medals one of which was the Silver Star, for, "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman. Lance Corporal Bench skillfully deployed his men to the point of heaviest contact and... .he repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire."
On returning home from Vietnam, Edmund went to college at Dixie State for one year and attended BYU for another year. He then returned home to join his dad in running the family dairy farm. They enjoyed many years working together and were proud of their excellent dairy operation.
Edmund met Patricia Jean Murphy when he was 30 years old. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple, on April 16, 1976. They had three boys, Brandon, Nathan, and Christopher.
Edmund was a very generous and service oriented man serving on many public boards including the Special Service District #2, The Duchesne County Water Improvement District, and The Duchesne County Soil Conservation Board, where he served 20+ years. He also served on the Utah Conservation Commission and the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, where he served as Vice President until his death. In addition, Edmund generously served his community. He served many years as president of the WBBA Little League Baseball Association. He moved on to high school football and wrestling where he spent countless hours helping with fund raisers and following the teams around the state even after his boys were no longer involved.
Edmund loved and lived for his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and would do anything for them. He was proud of the title "Uncle Ed." He dearly loved his mother-in-law, Celeste Murphy, always making sure she was well cared for.
Edmund was a thoughtful, giving, and kind husband, father, brother and friend who will be greatly missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Patti, of Bridgeland; sons, Brandon Edmund (Corey) Bench, Duchesne; Nathan Taylor Bench, Salt Lake City; Christopher Todd (Annel) Bench, Bridgeland; grandchildren, Brinadee (Preston) Pierson, Brytan, Payden, & Adrielle Hagerman, Ethan & Rhianon Bench, Jeffrey Scoles; a great-granddaughter, Harper Pierson; sisters, Joanne Beal, Bountiful; Colene Clouse, Murray; brother, Stan (Linda) Bench, Duchesne; sister-in-law, Paula Bench; mother-in-law, Celeste Murphy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kenneth Bench; and his brothers-in-law, Dean Beal and Bob Clouse.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Bridgeland LDS Chapel where a viewing will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Burial will be in the Duchesne Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion and the Utah Honor Guard. Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com
In memory of Edmund, donations can be made to Primary Children's Hospital or American Diabetes Association.