Francis “Benny” Sermersheim, 102

Francis “Benny” Sermersheim, age 102, of Jupiter, Florida, formerly of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday (June 15, 2013) at Mangrove Bay Senior Residential Community in Jupiter, Florida.

Benny was born on May 30, 1911 in Jasper, Indiana to John J. and Josephine (Schuetter) Sermersheim.

He married Lillian “Louise” Lein on October 25, 1939 in St. John’s Catholic Church in Loogootee, Indiana. She preceded him in death on July 21, 2002.

Benny was a businessman and was also very active in the Jasper community. He was city councilman from 1960 through 1963, and after the death of the mayor at the time, was appointed as mayor of Jasper in order to finish the term.

Benny and one of his brothers, John Jordan “Junie” Sermershiem opened Sermersheim Auto & Home Supply store in Jasper in 1947. Benny then helped to bring cable TV to the Jasper and Huntingburg Area. He also was instrumental in helping to form the Lions Club in Jasper. He was instrumental in forming community sports leagues in Jasper, and coached a number of teams. He was an Eagle Scout and served as a Boy Scout Leader.

He was an Army veteran who served in WWII, and was a member of the American Legion Jasper Post #147.

He loved to golf and to dance. Even at 100 years of age, he was attending dance classes at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Jupiter Florida.

Surviving,

Daughter, Gail Sermersheim, Jupiter, FL

Preceding him in death are three sisters, Cleopha “Sis” Fisher, Demetra “Mitz” Blessinger, and Lucille Bettag, and four brothers, August, Victor, John “Junie”, and Vincent Sermersheim.

Funeral services for Francis “Benny” Sermersheim will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper with entombment to follow in the Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum. The American Legion Post #147 will conduct military gravesite rites.

Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2013 at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.