Ronald K. Bennington, who exemplified the meaning of "counselor" and "friend", departed our world on August 12, leaving it a better place than it was before his life of service and devotion to family, friends, church and community. Ron was born July 16, 1936, on a farm in southwest Ohio, where he acquired his strong work ethic at a young age. He and his brother received their primary education together in the same classroom of a country schoolhouse. When Ron was in the eighth grade, his family moved to Circleville, Ohio, where he graduated from high school with highest honors. He graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College in 1958, and summa cum laude from The Ohio State University School of Law in 1961. He earned the distinction of serving as editor-in-chief of The Ohio State University Law Review. Ron practiced law with distinction for 47 years and was Senior Partner with Black, McCuskey, Souers & Arbaugh in Canton, retiring in 2002. He then joined Mercy Medical Center as senior vice president and general counsel, retiring from that position in 2008. During his years with Black McCuskey, Ron provided a full spectrum of legal counsel to The Hoover Company and Hoover Worldwide Corporation, traveling often to Hoover international operations. Ron met his beloved wife Barbara at Centerville High School, and was deeply devoted to her throughout their 54-year marriage, and through her long illness and death in 2012. Ron is survived by their two children whom he cherished, Amy Heuer of Canton, and Scott (Penny) Bennington of Maine. Ron was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Delorice (Dudley) Bennington and his brother Roger. He is survived by brother-in-law Mac Schumm, sister-in-law Judith Bennington, two nephews Kevin (Nicole) and Jeff (Trina), and many longtime close friends who will miss him deeply. He will be remembered as a man who lived his personal creed of stewardship, integrity and loyalty. Ron was a talented athlete who played baseball and football at Circleville High School and Kenyon College, where he was the teams' quarterback. He attended football referee school in 1962, and began a long and distinguished tenure first as a junior high school referee, then high school and college referee. He served as a Big Ten College Conference football official for twenty years, and remained active in the Big Ten officiating program through the 2012 football season. He cherished his time as a college official and regaled his friends with many thrilling accounts of his experiences. Ron was a devoted member and active leader with Christ Presbyterian Church of Canton all the years he lived here. He served as president of the church's board of trustees, as Elder and Clerk of Session. Ron's service to the local community left a positive impact in so many ways. He served as a Plain Township trustee from 1972 to 1978 and as a board member and secretary of the Stark County Board of Mental Health from 1975 to 1985. Ron served on the board of directors of Mercy Medical Center from 1986 to 2002. He also served as a member of the boards of trustees of the Canton Medical Education Foundation, Malone University, The Hoover Foundation, Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine, the Canton Chapter of the American Red Cross, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Canton Urban League, and United Way of Stark County. He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award of The Ohio State University College of Law in 1996, and the Greater Canton Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit in 1990. Ron was very active on various committees of the Stark County, Ohio State and American Bar Associations having been a member for over 50 years. He was named a Fellow of the Ohio Bar Association in 1981, and the American Bar Association in 1982. He received an honorary doctorate degree in Law from Malone University. Ron was honored to have been the first recipient in 2012 of the St. Augustine Award for Distinguished Service from the Mercy Medical Center Development Foundation in recognition of his longtime service to Mercy, laying the groundwork for fund development at the hospital through his many years on the Board, as Board Chair, and as senior vice president. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Christ Presbyterian Church with Rev. David L. deVries officiating. Sister Judith Ann Karam, of Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and Mr. Richard A. Pakel will also participate. Interment will be in North Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Spiker-Foster-Shriver Funeral Home 710 Tuscarawas St. W. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations be sent to Christ Presbyterian Church 501 Tuscarawas St. W. Canton, OH 44702 or Mercy Medical Center Hospice 7568 Whipple Ave., N.W. N. Canton, Ohio 44720. Please sign the guest book.