Thomas Edison Bensberg

Thomas Edison Bensberg, 90, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, at Ouachita County Medical Center. He was born Dec. 9, 1923, in Camden, and was the son of Gerard Joseph and Grace Edrington Bensberg. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Frances Keaton Bensberg; three brothers, William Bensberg, Charles Bensberg, and Gerard (Jerry) Bensberg Jr.; and three sisters, Elizabeth Ann Murphy, Grace Hayden, and Margaret Sessoms. He graduated from Camden High School and was a Navy Veteran of World War II. For forty years he owned and operated Bensberg's Music Store, which was founded in 1913 by his father. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Camden where he was a choir member for more than 70 years and served as Elder, Deacon, and Treasurer. He was a life-long participant in Camden's music and theater scene, and performed in Men About Town, Camden Chamber Singers, and Camden Community Theater. He was an honorary member of Thursday Musicale. He was the founding President of the Camden Chapter of Habitat For Humanity. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Bensberg, whom he married in 1967; five children, Tom Bensberg Jr. and his wife Elaine of Lexington, Ky., Sherry Wilson Phelps and her husband Jack of West Monroe, La., Susan Bensberg of Camden, Mark Wilson and his wife Gail, of Monroe, La., and Eloise Bensberg of Baltimore, Md.; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Camden, Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock or to a charity of the donor's choice. To sign the online guest register, visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.