Cooksville – Duane R. Benjamin, 83, of Cooksville, passed away at 8:18pm, March 28, 2025, at his residence.

His funeral will be held at 10:00am, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax. Burial will be in Wiley Cemetery, Colfax.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00pm, Monday, April 7, 2025, also at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Octavia Fire Protection District, Cooksville Fire Department, or Tunnel to Towers.

Duane was born August 5, 1941, in Bloomington, the son of Richard and Ruth Shoemaker Benjamin. He married Susan Bliss in 1963. She survives.

Also surviving are his daughters, Betsy (Todd) Taylor of Colfax and Amy (Kevin) Psinas of Pekin; grandchildren Dakota (Britni) Williams, Brock (Hannah) Poleyquiva, and Courtney (Jared Lyons) Psinas; great-grandchildren Oliver Benjamin Poleyquiva and Chloe Williams; and siblings George (Diana) Benjamin of Huntley, Steve (Jana) Benjamin of Phoenix, AZ, and Sherry (Jeff) Benjamin of Cooksville.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Terry Benjamin, nephews, Matt, Ian and Frank Benjamin, brother-in-law, Thurman Bliss, and sister-in-law, Betty Benjamin.

Duane retired in 2017 after 53 years with Bliss McKnight, where he was an instrumental part in developing the organization into what it is today.

He was a board member for Belle Prairie Mutual and secretary for the Central Illinois Radio Club. He also held membership with the NRA.