Obituary: Benson Elvis "Hunkey" Dilbeck

Benson Elvis "Hunkey" Dilbeck, 80, passed away April 19, 2009 at his home in Carson City of heart failure. Hunkey was born Nov. 26, 1928 in Merced, Calif. to Newell and Birdie Dilbeck.

Hunkey attended Sonora High School where he competed and lettered in many sports. He graduated from Modesto Jr. College and attended Cal State Berkley on athletic scholarships.

He has lived in Carson City since 1973, moving from Hawthorne. While living in Hawthorne, Hunkey worked at the EL Capitan Casino . After moving to Carson City he worked at Harvey's Casino as the Games Manager and a hunting guide from 1971 to 1983. After retiring from Harvey's, Hunkey made four trips to Alaska to mine for gold. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing and loved all sports including football. He was a pilot and flew his own plane.

Hunkey was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Richard Elvis Dilbeck and one great-grandson, Benjamin Shallenberger.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Earline of Carson City. They were married June 14, 1959 in Hawthorne. Son Richard Boone of Dayton; daughters, Denise Dilbeck and Donnelle Dilbeck both from Modesto, Calif., Cynthia Moore and Andrea Zeller both from Fallon and Nena Dilbeck of Stagecoach; sisters Viola Hall of Oregon and Evelyn Keller of Idaho; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews survive him.

Hunkey was a positive role model for many people and will be greatly missed.

A Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Thursday at Walton's in Carson City. A Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Friday also at Walton's. Following the service a reception will be held at Chartz Hall at St Teresa Catholic Church in Carson City.