PARK HILLS, Mo (News First) – A prominent local businessman has died. Benjy Proffer, who owned Proffer Produce in Park Hills, passed away on August 2nd at 71. Proffer was born in Flint, Michigan in 1953, but his family moved to Park Hills when he was young and established Proffer Produce in 1964. Benjy took over the company in 1991 when his father, C. Udell Proffer, died.
Proffer Produce is a family-owned and operated full-line wholesale produce company. It has grown to a nationwide enterprise with 900 acres of farmland, a full commodity repack automated facility, and food distribution to over 20 states with a fleet of 60 plus trucks.
Benjy, who served in the Army National Guard in the 1970s, is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Wonia Proffer, his sister Rhenda Hutchinson and husband Hutch, his brother Rick Proffer and wife Nikki, brother-in-law Victor Johnson, Uncle and Aunt George and Janet Whitaker, Aunt Helen Whitaker, five children, 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, August 9th from noon until 8 pm at Christian Life Church in Farmington. A celebration of life will be on Saturday, August 10th with burial to follow for family only.
In place of flowers, donations can be made to Lifesavers Ministry.
