Bennie Sameul Drane, 85, died on Jan. 12, 2014, at Edward Hines VA Hospital. Bennie was a Korean War veteran in the U.S. Army from 1950 -1952. He was from Sardis, Mississippi, but was a resident of Forest Park for over 30 years. He retired from the Forest Park Post Office after 28 years, then began working at the Maywood First Student Bus company in 1991, where he met his wife, Shalon, that same year.
Bennie and Shalon married in 1997, one year before their first child, Eboni, was born. He also had two step children: Ashli and Stephen. They all grew up in Forest Park and attended Forest Park Middle School.
Bennie was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin Drane, father, Sam Drane and mother, Lucille Ellis Drane. Visitation was held Feb. 20 at Parkwyn Funeral Home in Berwyn and his memorial service and burial were held Feb. 24 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
