James M. Benson

James M. Benson, 77, of Ligonier, passed away January 5, 2026, at home. He was born July 27, 1948, in Harrisburg, to the late Milton C. and Mary Grace (Shute) Benson. He attended Seven Sorrows Blessed Virgin Mary Elementry School, a 1966 graduate of Middletown High School and a graduate of the York Academy of Arts. He was retired with 25 years service to the PA Department of Revenue, where he last worked as Chief of Miscellaneous Taxes. Jim was an avid antique collector of Pyrex, McCoy Pottery ~ Wexford and early Americana Prescut Glass. He enthusiastically embraced yard sales. He loved spending many weeks at his beach residence in Rehoboth, DE since 1985. The beach house in Delaware provided summer fun for Jim, Frank and many of their family and friends. Jim enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. With his artistic talents he had an incredible gift for designing homes, interior decorating and floral arrangements both indoor and outdoor landscaping. He also loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and enjoyed traveling. He cherished the time spent with his loved ones and will be dearly missed and remembered by all who knew him. In addition to his parents Jim was preceded in death by two nephews, Christopher and Michael Benson. He is survived by his husband and partner of 44 years, Frank Felbaum; four siblings, Frederick Benson (Carol) of Jacksonville, FL, Jeff Benson of Middletown, PA, Cyndi Tresco of Etters, PA, and Patrick Benson (Tracy) of Annville, PA; a brother-in-law, John Felbaum (Pam) of Groton, MA; a sister-in-law, Patricia Kunkle, Youngstown, PA; two nephews, Matt Benson (Katlin) of Dillsburg, PA and James Tresco (Alexa) of Etters, PA; seven nieces, Melissa Linkous of Jacksonville, FL, Samantha Musgrove (Adam) of Etters, PA, Tiffany Bohr (Zach) of Palmyra, PA, Sharon Naeger (Michael) of Latrobe, PA, Marlene Kunkle of Latrobe, PA, Jessica Burgess (Miles) of Chelmsford, MA, and Emily Carroll (Brendan) of Shirley, MA; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ned Smith Center, 176 Water Company Road, Millersburg, PA 17061, or Husky Paws Rescue, Inc., PO Box 237, Hostetter, PA 15638. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Frederick Funeral Home, Inc., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650 entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences please visit www.FrederickFuneralHome.com.