Mel Benton, 79, passed away Thursday night, December 8, 2011, at the Valley View Villa Nursing Home in Fort Morgan. He was born March 18, 1932, in Exira, IA, to Earl & Rosa Benton. Mel moved to Morgan County in 1986. On July 15, 1988, he married Jeanne Weiss. Prior to moving to Morgan County, Mel was a rancher / farmer. After moving to Morgan County he worked for the City of Brush in the Parks Department and later drove a bus for County Express. He was a member of Immanuel Congregational Church. He enjoyed woodworking, hand work, gardening, especially flower gardens, and being outdoors. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne of Fort Morgan; 7 children, Belinda (Roy) VanAernam of Ida Grove, IA; Rhea (Tab) Gaines and Lance (Connie) Benton all of Polk City, IA; Denise (Chris) Claussen of Norfolk, NE, Jim Benton of Ryan, IA, Janine (Ted) Namanny and Joni (Doug) Sudmann all of Atlantic, IA; 2 stepson, David (Marsha) Weiss of Fort Morgan and Paul Weiss of Aurora, CO; 2 sisters, Pearl Courtney of Guthrie Center, IA and Polly Hansen of Loveland, CO; 1 brother, Darrel Benton of Corning, IA; 15 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 1 grandson and his parents. A Funeral service will be Tuesday at 11:00 AM at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary Chapel in Brush. Interment will be Wednesday at Crown Hill Cemetery in Denver. Visitation will be at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary Chapel in Brush on Monday from 4 – 6 PM. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to Hospice of North Colorado.