Eleanor Alice Benniger
Eleanor Alice Benniger of Irving died Sept. 23 at Irving Hospital. She was 81. Born Aug. 5, 1916 in Prescott, Ark., Mrs. Benniger lived in Irving most of her life and had been a housewife. She is survived by her daughter, Nelda Roan of Forney; brother Lloyd Cross of Irving; two grandsons; three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were held Sept. 25 at Chism-Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, the Rev. Mario Parga officiating.
Jack R. Gilbert
Jack R. Gilbert of Irving died Sept. 24. He was 81. Born Dec. 11, 1915 in Pittsburgh, Kan., Mr. Gilbert was a manager in the automotive parts business and a member of the Masons of Wheatland, Okla. He is survived by his wife, Louise Gilbert; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Susan Conner of The Colony; and four grandchildren. Services were held Sept. 27 at Brown's Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
William Lee Henderson
William Lee "Bill" Henderson of Fort Worth died of lung cancer Sept. 23 at his home. He was 68. Born April 10, 1929 in Loudon, Tenn., Mr. Henderson recently retired as a vice president with T.I.C-W. Pat Crow Forgings Inc. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Grantom Henderson; son and daughter-in-law Dr. Stephen Lee Parker, who practices in Irving, and Dina Elise Parker; son Gregory John Parker of Cornwall, N.Y.; daughter and son-in-law Marcella and John Ferguson of Bryan; and one nephew. Graveside services were held Sept. 26 at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Chism-Smith Funeral Home. The family requests memorials be made to the Lung Cancer Society or the Association for Retarded Citizens.
Lester Hyatt
Lester Hyatt of Irving died Sept. 20. He was 77. Born in Reed, Okla. April 22, 1920, Mr. Hyatt was an electrician. He was also a U.S. Army veteran, with service at Ft. Bliss in El Paso in 1945. He and his wife, Leona Mildred Goff Hyatt, had celebrated 50 years of marriage Sept. 1. Survivors also include daughters Mildred Foshee and Annette Phariss, both of Irving, Opal Sellars of Dallas, Jannette Sinnock of Houston, Linda Barnidge of Ovilla; sisters Gladys Thorn of Arlington, Florine Daley of Perryton, Margaret Scott of Eastland; brothers Alvin Hyatt of Gardenia, Calif., Ray Hyatt of Duncanville, Hugh Hyatt of Waxahachie, Earl Hyatt of Bedford; 14 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Mr. Hyatt was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters. Services were held Sept. 22 at Brown's Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, Pastor Nick Harris officiating. Interment at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.
Michael Scott McPherson
Michael Scott McPherson, a former resident of Irving, died Sept. 24 in Phoenix, Ariz. He was 44. Born Jan. 3, 1953, Mr. McPherson was a graduate of Irving High School and earned a BS in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975. A former Eagle Scout, Mr. McPherson worked for 15 years for Francis Sales and Services in Clute. He moved to Phoenix with his family earlier this year. Mr. McPherson is survived by his wife, Karran Kay Sprain McPherson; sons Casey Brice McPherson and Dillion Keefe McPherson; parents Mike and Nell McPherson of Irving; and brother Patrick McPherson of Irving. Services were held Sept. 27 at Second Baptist Church, Lake Jackson. Interment at Gulf Prairie Cemetery, Jones Creek. Arrangements by Lakewood Funeral Chapel, Freeport.
