Vance B. “Benji” Malm, age 51, of Merrill, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, under the care of his family, the staff at Bell Tower, and Ascera Care Hospice.
Benji was born December 8, 1959, in Merrill, son of Alan and Marie (Semling) Malm, Merrill. He married Patti Heckendorf on March 5, 1983, in Merrill. Benji had been the District Sales Manager for Merrill Distributing. He enjoyed NASCAR; attending races with his friends; restoring cars; attending auto shows; duck hunting; ice fishing; and socializing with people. Benji was a former member of the parish council at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill, and he had also taught religion classes at the parish.
Survivors besides his parents, Alan and Marie Malm, Merrill, include his daughter, Allison (with fiance, Mitchell Smith) Malm, Merrill, his son, Nicholas (with fiance, Becky Babros) of Neenah; his children’s mother, Patti Malm, Merrill; five sisters, Jeanne (Craig) Nienow and Mary (Jim) Litschauer, both of Merrill, his twin, Virginia (Ernie) Lowe, Chippewa Falls, Therese (Jim) Janachione, Gilberts, Illinois, and Kathleen (Craig) Arritola, Fox Lake, Illinois; and five brothers, Christopher Malm, Merrill, Gregory (Roberta) Malm, Portland, Tennessee, Peter (Jo) Malm, Greenfield, Indiana, Jon (Naomi) Malm, Glenview, Illinois, and Eric (Lori) Malm, Merrill.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 Noon, Monday, June 20, 2011, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Concelebrants will be Father Michael McLain and Father Dan Crosby. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Sunday in Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com