MIDDLEBURG - Elwood Eugene "Woody" Benner, 81, of Sale Barn Road, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at his home following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Middleburg, a son of the late Ammon E. and Frona K. (Moyer) Benner. A member of St. Paul's (Erdley's) Lutheran Church, RR Middleburg, where he served as an usher, Woody was married to his high school sweetheart, Lorraine T. Keister in 1951, beginning a loving union that lasted 64 years. A 1951 graduate of Middleburg High School who worked as a youth as a film projectionist and manager for former theaters in Paxtonville, Meiserville, and McClure and the drive-in theater at Selinsgrove, Woody early on developed an avid interest in radio and related electronics. Following employment with the Middleburg Throwing Corp., he founded his own television and appliance business, Woody's TV & Appliance, successfully operating it for many years. In 1972, he and his oldest son, Kenneth, created Benner's Amusements, which served fairs and carnivals throughout central and north central Pennsylvania. He later created a second amusement business, Mid Valley Amusements, which became the basis for the development of two additional family-operated amusement businesses. Woody was a member of the Pennsylvania State Showmen's Association. In addition to his business endeavors, Woody volunteered for many years as an ambulance driver for the Reliance Hose Co., Middleburg, and also served as a Boy Scout leader, Known for an ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, Woody mentored a number of young people over the years and was always willing to help someone in need. When he could travel, he was always on the go and loved to visit Florida. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth E. and Kay Betzer Benner, of Celebration, Fla., Kerry E. and Christina Fritz Benner and Troy A. and Jennifer Beard Benner, all of Middleburg; three daughters and sons-in-law, Trudy D. and William E. Swanger, of Mechanicsburg, Kay E. and Kenneth E. Roush, of Middleburg, and Teresa M. and Ronnie Beaver, of Selinsgrove; 14 grandchildren, Michael, Stacey, Chase, Alycia, Chance, Amanda, Ella and Abby Benner, Nathan and Rebecca Swanger, Philip Roush, Dana Haile, Katrina Heddings, and Shane Beaver; four great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Sara L. Walter, of Middleburg. Friends and family will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's (Erdley's) Lutheran Church, Erdley Church and Smalsh Barrick roads, Middleburg, followed by the funeral at 11 with the Rev. Keith Pittsnogle officiating. Interment will be in the Glendale Cemetery, Middleburg. Contributions in Elwood's memory may be made to St. Paul's (Erdley's) Lutheran Church, 2337 Erdley Church Road, Middleburg, PA 17842. Arrangements are by the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill St., Middleburg.