Michael Beneke

Mr. Michael Beneke, age 52, passed away on November 5, 2020. Michael was born on January 12, 1968, in Spokane, Wash., to Bill Beneke and Patricia (Mark) Beneke. On June 6, 1992, Michael married Christy (Wingate) Beneke in St. Martins, Missouri. Michael graduated Cole R-V high school in 1985. He then went on to graduate from Lincoln University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. Michael spent about four years as a high school math teacher and decided to go back to college. In 2003, he received a Master's Degree in Computer Sciences. Michael enjoyed teaching computer programming and was an Adjunct Professor at Westminster College starting in 2007. After a few years, he accepted a job as an Information Technologist III for the Office of Administration for the State of Missouri and recently moved up to an Associate Applications Developer. He worked for the State of Missouri Office of Administration, Information Technology Services Division starting in 2012. Michael was an avid comic book collector and had been reading and collecting since middle school. Over the years, he had dragged his family to comic book conventions, Superman festivals, and several other comic book related gatherings. He was also a huge sports fan. He loved the Chiefs, the Blues, the Cardinals, and the Royals. If it was a Missouri team, he had a shirt to wear while watching their games. Michael enjoyed going on family vacations. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Christy Mae, their children Mayson and Robert of Jefferson City, Missouri; his father, William "Bill" Beneke of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; his brother, Jeff Beneke and wife Arla; his niece, Jessie Lynn of Peculiar, Missouri; his uncle, Glen Mark, and aunt, Teri Powers of Portland, Oregon. Michael is also survived by his nephew, Jesse; nieces, Camryn and Morgan Wingate on his wife's side of the family; as well as his father-in-law, Lanny Wingate of Centertown, Missouri; brother-in-law, Jase Wingate and wife Julie of Centertown, Missouri; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Beneke of Sunrise Beach and his grandparents, Robert "Bob" Mark and Beatrice (Hjelle) Mark of Kennewick, Wash.; as well as his mother-in-law, Sallie Kiesling of California, Missouri. The Celebration for Life for Michael will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service in California, Mo. with Rev. James Finder officiating. Per CDC recommendations, the family requests that facial coverings be worn. To honor Michael, the family would like those in attendance to wear their favorite geeky or sport related clothing. To know Michael was to know that he thoroughly combed the local newspapers for charity related events to attend to support his community as well as the local school district. Memorials are suggested to the Special Ed Department-Southwest Early Childhood Center. A webcast link will be provided on Michael's page on the funeral home website. Online messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.