John "Airport John" Dale Benzinger, age 65, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Monday, December 28, 2015 at the Woodland Hospice House.

Funeral Services for John will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Terry Kunst officiating. A Luncheon will follow in the Reflections Reception Center. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 1, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue the day of the service from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.

John was born on October 22, 1950, in Clare, the son of Arthur and Esther (Wehrly) Benzinger. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. John worked as a mail carrier for over 30 years for the United States Post Office, retiring in 2005. John currently served as the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport manager, a position he held for over 25 years.

John is survived by his children, Ginger (Doug) Johnson, Jason (Candace) Benzinger, and Jeremie (Lisa) Benzinger; grandchildren, Amberley and Olivia Johnson, Taylor Vasquez and Bella Benzinger, Cody and Emma Benzinger; great-grandchild, Miles Vasquez; and siblings, David Benzinger, Judy Guthro, and D'Anne Smith.

John was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Andrew Johnson; and his loving dog, Leni.