By Staff
Stapleton
Mr. Orvan Earl "Obie" Benham, 60, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 at a Mobile hospital. He was a native of Mobile, a former resident of Atmore and a resident of Stapleton for the past six years. He was a funeral director since 1976, working at Roche-Belmany Funeral Home and Radney Funeral Home in Mobile, as well as Atmore Memorial Chapel, and was one of the original funeral directors for Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Irene Mitchem Benham of Stapleton; two sons, Orvon Richard Benham of Mobile and Jason Edward Benham of Stapleton; a daughter, Angela C. Spyrka of Biloxi, Miss.; a sister, Beverly Jennings of Phoenix, Ariz. and five grandchildren.
Visitation was held Thursday, Oct. 30 between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bishop Richard Whatley officiating. Burial followed at Canoe Methodist Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tim Spyrka, Richard Benham, Brant Benham, Joe Mitchem, William Mitchem and Lester Jennings. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Petty, Kelly Gunn and John Mitchell.