Hornell, New York
Ronald S. “Ron” Benson – 87 – of State Route 21, Hornell, died early Friday morning (May 23, 2025) at St. James Hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Hornell on September 10, 1937 he was the son of Gustave “Gus” and Fannie (Sage) Benson.
He grew up on Maple Street with his two sisters, Bonnie and Joyce, and graduated from Hornell High School in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Sheridan (Murphy) and they had three daughters before they divorced amicably.
Ron had a long career in Accounting with the Erie Lackawanna Railroad taking him to live in Scranton, PA, Cleveland, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and Albany New York. He lived in Cleveland for many years where he met his second wife, Wilma Benson to whom he was married until her death in 1991. He initially retired in Cleveland, OH before settling again in his beloved hometown of Hornell where he met his love and companion, Sharon Benson (Miles Taylor) whom he married in 2017. Ron had been a member of the Hornell Moose Lodge and the Hornell American Legion.
He was a lifelong fisherman and loyal New York Yankees and Cleveland Browns fan. Ron never missed watching a Yankees game on TV, was happiest out on a lake with Johnny Cash playing from the speaker and a fishing pole in his hand, or spending time telling stories or jokes to his family.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife Sharon Benson; daughters Linda Smith (Wayne), and Becky Grano (Steve); 2 step-children, Jill Preston (Matt) and Tammy Evans (John); as well as his four grandchildren Kirsten Matyjasik (Ryan), Amy Etzkorn (John), Anthony and Alex Grano; his great- grandchildren, Millie and Walt Matyjasik, and Lyla, Rosalie and the family’s newest addition, Christopher Etzkorn; as well as several nieces and nephews. Ron is preceded in death by his cherished daughter, Karen; wife Wilma; parents; and sisters.
The family of Ronald S. “Ron” Benson will receive friends on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from
11:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Funeral Service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 12:00 Noon with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Park Cemetery, Rocky River, OH.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.