At last year’s American Cancer Society event Bennett did eight reps with a 600-pound Harley Sportster raising over $3,000.

This year Tom Bennett is dedicating the fundraiser to his friend Guy Picketts who was diagnosed with cancer in December.

Continued below.

On May 8 at 3p.m., Marshall’s Tom Bennett will be seen at the Dark Horse Brewery where he will once again attempt to bench press a Harley Davidson motorcycle at a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society. This is the third year the event will be held.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do next year,” Bennett said. “That’s pretty much the way I do things; by the seat of my pants.”

The first year, Bennett, 50, did a bench press exhibition at the Dark Horse Brewery. At last year’s event, Bennett did eight reps with a 600-pound Harley Sportster at the Battle Creek Harley store, where he raised over $3,000.

“It would be nice to raise as much as I did last year,” Bennett said. “I hope it’s a good turnout.”

Bennett is asking for people to sponsor him for at least a penny per pound of the full-dress Harley motorcycle, which weighs over 800 pounds.

“I go up close to that when I’m bench press training at home,” Bennett said. “I’ll have help that day. We’ll see how it goes. I had to up it somehow, so I thought I would do a dresser this year.”

Bennett’s goal is to bench press the motorcycle once.

“I hope I can do it, and it’s not the last year because of the health issues of my own I’m dealing with,” he said.

Bennett battles with arthritis pain, hypoglycemia, degenerate bone arthritis in his shoulder and bone spurs.

“The doc says I shouldn’t be bench pressing at all, especially Harleys,” Bennett said. “But I’m going to do what I can while I can. Who knows, it (cancer) may happen to me someday.”

Bennett said he chose to donate to the ACS because cancer has affected many loved ones in his life.

“I lost my mother (Jean Bennett), grandmother (Elizabeth Klabbatz), and grandfather (Ernest Bennett) from cancer and my brother had been diagnosed with cancer before he hung himself. It’s the one thing that I am good at that I can do to raise money for the American Cancer Society.”

Bennett said his grandfather got lung cancer right after he retired from Grand Trunk, a railroad system in Battle Creek.

The last two years, he has dedicated the fundraiser to his family. This year, Bennett is dedicating the fundraiser to his friend, Guy Picketts, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

“It was unexpected to say the least but I am deeply honored,” Picketts said.
Picketts, 61, was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer in December. At that time, Picketts resigned his position with the city of Marshall as code enforcement officer.

“At the time I wasn’t really sure which way it was going to go,” Picketts said. “ I knew I just wouldn’t be able to have the time or spirit to donate to the city.”

Picketts said he and Bennett met four years ago at one of the Dark Horse events.

“I consider us good friends,” Picketts said. “I don’t think you have to know someone for a life- time to build a bond. This kind of stuff (the fundraisers) just goes to show you what kind of guy he is. It shows why not only I, but other people like him and consider him a friend.”

Picketts said Bennett is a selfless person, always putting others health above his own.

“Tom is doing this not to benefit himself, but others he knows,” Picketts said. “When you tell people he’s going to bench press a Harley, they say ‘What?’”
The shock factor that a man is going to bench pressing a Harley is just a way to get people interested in the cause, Picketts said.

“This is what it’s all about; getting enough money for the American Cancer Society to help out their mission in trying to cure cancer,” he said. “I would like to see a lot of people turn out and make donations. Whether or not he can lift the Harley, it’s the effort and cause that is worthwhile.”

Picketts receives chemotherapy with Dr. Stephen Smiley of Oaklawn Hospital once a week for three weeks, then has a week off before starting all over again.
“The chemo girls, that’s what we call them, do a great job,” Picketts said. “They are very professional and compassionate with what they do there. That’s really important with what you are going through.”

Picketts said until one has cancer, they don’t realize how many people have it.
“I’m just one of many,” he said. “I’ve got friends going through the same thing I’m going through. The fight shouldn’t be focused on any one person. It should be focused on the cancer.”

Picketts said cancer is a difficult thing to talk about sometimes.
“I have my good days and my bad days,” he said. “But I’ve got a lot of support from friends and family, but my biggest support is my wife.”

In September, Picketts and his wife Annette will have been married for 42 years.

“She’s my guardian angel,” he said. “She keeps me in line, and she takes care of me.”

Picketts said his kids, Michelle Smith, Matt Picketts and Guy Jr. and Jennifer Picketts, take care of him, too.

The other support he has found, he said, is through a strengthened relationship with God.

“I speak to him a lot more now than I have in the past,” he said. “It’s a very important part of my support.”

Bennett and Picketts wanted to thank the Dark Horse for allowing them to use their facility for the event as well as Kathy Miller for planning and advertising the event.

“This kind of thing here, this is what you need,” Picketts said. “With Tom doing this maybe one day, hopefully one day, they will find a cure for cancer. The American Cancer Society is making great strides to try and find a cure for cancer.”

Those interested in sponsoring Bennett, can sign up at Dark Starz Deluxe Tattoo and Piercing at 507 S. Kalamazoo Ave., the Advisor & Chronicle at 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave., RoMa’s Corner Café at 228 W. Michigan Ave. as well as other businesses downtown.

By BUD KENNEDY
bud@star-telegram.com

The thunder of motorcycles will welcome Easter in Fort Worth.

Your church may host a sunrise service.

So will a biker club on East Vickery Boulevard.

After missing last Easter because of his father’s death, biker chaplain “Irish Ed” Mahan will return to the Boozefighters’ club parking lot and preach his 10th sunrise service for local motorcycle clubs.

“We celebrate the Resurrection and the hope it gives us for new beginnings in the face of adversity,” said Mahan, 62, of Johnson County, a Baptist pastor-turned-biker.

“We draw men and women who are disillusioned with church and haven’t gone in 40 years.

“Bikers aren’t conformists. Neither am I.”

Mahan’s own career has taken some hairpin turns.

After a turn as a small-town pastor in the 1970s, he left the church and became a real estate investor and used-car dealer at Mahan Motor Co. on East Lancaster Avenue.

He found his way to the biker club in 1997 and tried to keep his past life a secret.

But when members asked him to conduct weddings, and when others started offering to skip drinks at nearby Cooter Brown’s bar if he would lead Bible study, Mahan accepted the role of chaplain and turned back to the church.

Now, with a new counseling degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a career in social work, he has risen to program manager of HOMES, the homeless outreach program of Catholic Charities of Fort Worth.

His Easter worshippers at the biker club, 1501 E. Bessie St., will include friends who have lost homes and landed in shelters.

Even some Boozefighters have had to pitch in to help members keep their homes.

So Mahan’s Easter message is about hope.

“For the homeless, the loss of hope hurts more than the loss of a home,” Mahan said.

“They need shelter, but they need hope back in their lives more than anything else. The message will be that Easter is the ultimate message of hope for mankind.”

He preached his first biker Easter in 2000.

In a 2005 history of the club — the title, The O riginal Wild Ones, refers to the 1953 movie with Marlon Brando — Mahan tells how the Boozefighters asked for an “Easter thing.”

Soon, posters were tacked up in bars: “Easter sunrise at the clubhouse — Irish Ed’s gonna preach and stuff.”

He expected a dozen worshippers.

More than 100 came.

Mahan preached every year after that until last year, when his father, a Baptist pastor, died in East Texas.

Bikers have been asking for months about Easter.

“They’ve e-mailed asking, ‘Ed, are we gonna have that sunrise service?’” he said.

“I’m amazed. Members bring their kids or their siblings or their mom. It’s a chance for the black sheep of the family to show that biker clubs aren’t all about drinking, carousing and riding hard.”

At least, not till after Irish Ed preaches and stuff.

Wrongway will be truly missed. He was a loving husband and father, a loyal Boozefighter, and one of the funnest guys you could ever wish to meet.

We will try to provide an update on Special K’s condition and funeral arrangements for Wrongway as soon as possible.

Sincerest condolences to Wrongway’s family and all of Chapter 71 from Chapter 23.

*** UPDATE Sunday November 8th 3:00pm ***

Kate’s condition has been upgraded from critical to stable but she is still in the surgical intensive care unit. She is heavily sedated, but the doctors are hopeful she will regain consciousness in the near future. Her leg surgery went well last night. They rebuilt her leg with rods and pins and the doctors feel she will most likely be able to walk again after a long recovery period.

Flowers can be sent to Kate after she gets out of intensive care. There is an on-site florist at the hospital that can be reached at 330.363.4937.

If you wish to make your own arrangements for having flowers delivered please send them to:

Kate Semrau c/o
Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth Street, S.W.
Canton, Ohio
44710

Wrongway’s younger brother Ryan has asked us to put out the word to all Boozefighters that he is looking for parts for an ‘06 Softail Standard to rebuild Wrongway’s bike. He is specifically looking for front end components, a rear wheel and a set of tins. His intentions are to restore the bike and have a custom paint job done to honor his brother before giving the bike to Wrongway’s two sons. Please contact Ryan at ryansemrau@yahoo.com if you can be of assistance.

*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 1:00pm ***

The following was published in the Akron Beacon Journal this morning:

Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
By Beacon Journal staff

A 36-year-old Mentor man died Saturday evening when the motorcycle he was operating ran into the back of a parked pickup truck in North Canton.

Roy L. Semrau II, of Glen Lodge Road, suffered head trauma when his motorcycle hit the truck in the 300 block of Lindy Lane NW at 5:43 p.m., said Harry Campbell, chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner’s Office.

Semrau’s wife, Kathleen A. Semrau, was a passenger on the back of the motorcycle. She was transported to Canton’s Aultman Hospital where she remained Monday. Her condition is not known.

Neither rider was wearing a helmet, police said.

Several people witnessed the crash, including Semrau’s father, who was riding a motorcycle behind the victim’s motorcycle, Campbell said.

Semrau was transported to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., the coroner’s office said.

North Canton police are investigating the accident. Stark County Coroner P.S. Murthy will conduct an autopsy this morning, Campbell said.

*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 7:00pm ***

We received the following from Ryan today:

“I don’t know how to get on the BFMC site that you put my e-mail on, but could you put on there that all the phone calls and e-mails we have been getting from the guys all over the country means a lot to us? And thank everyone for their support they are showing.”

*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 8:00pm ***

Wrongway’s funeral will be held Thursday November 12th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the following location:

Reed Funeral Home
801 Pittsburg Ave NW
North Canton, OH
(330) 477-6721‎
www.reedfuneralhome.com

The family has asked that people dress in their normal biker attire and that club members wear their colors. Boozefighters who ride to the funeral will be asked to participate in the procession to the cemetery and assist in burying Wrongway’s casket.

There will be a gathering at Wrongway’s parent’s home after the burial – everybody is welcome to attend.

A number of Boozefighters are staying at the Holiday Inn Canton. The rate is $89.00 per night. Click here to make a reservation.

You can read Wrongway’s obituary and sign the guestbook for his family by clicking here.

*** UPDATE Monday November 9th 9:00pm ***

Kate was brought out of her sedation today, but is still in the intensive care unit. She is conscious and was able to sit in a chair for a short period of time. For the time being the family and her doctors have asked that nobody visits her in the hospital. When she is moved to a normal room and can see visitors and receive flowers we will provide an update.

*** UPDATE Tuesday November 10th 6:00pm ***

Kate had surgery today to implant a filter in her abdomen to prevent blood clots from reaching her heart, or lungs. In six months the filter will be removed when the risk of blood clots from her injured leg will have subsided. After today’s surgery Kate was moved out of intensive care and into a normal room. They had her up and walking for a brief period of time even though she is in intense pain.

You can now send flowers to her at the address and room number below:

Kate Semrau Room 5566
Aultman Hospital
2600 Sixth Street, S.W.
Canton, Ohio
44710

Due to the extent of her injuries, which includes; two broken cheek bones, multiple lacerations, extensive bruising and her right lower leg which was turned sideways and almost lost the doctors are still advising that she not receive visitors.

We will provide more updates as Kate’s condition improves.

*** UPDATE Saturday November 14th 10:00am ***

Roy “Wrongway” Semrau was laid to rest Thursday November 12th in Canton Ohio. Over 200 people attended his service including 120 Boozefighters from over ten different states, as well as Ontario Canada. 37 Boozefighters rode in Wrongway’s procession even though many had to travel from as far away as Tennessee in temperatures barely above freezing. At Wrongway’s burial green and white shovels were provided as each club member helped bury his casket.

Kate “Special K” Semrau was not released from the hospital and was unable to attend the funeral and burial. However a live video feed was provided, so she could she view the entire service over an Internet connection. Sadly her long road to recovery now begins.

*** UPDATE Saturday November 14th 3:00pm ***

Kate was transferred from the hospital in Canton OH to a rehab center in her home town of Mentor late Friday afternoon. By all accounts she is doing much better – both physically and emotionally. She will undergo six weeks of rehab before being sent home.

Cards and flowers can be sent to:

Kate Semrau c/o
Heartland of Mentor‎
8200 Mentor Hills Dr
Mentor, OH
44060-7861

The phone number for the rehab center is: (440) 256-1496

We will try to provide another update on Kate’s condition early next.

Chapter 9, along with all Boozefighters, has lost a true Brother, William “Bones” Greene, who was involved in a wreck on Saturday 10/31. “Bones” was on his motorcycle when a truck pulled out in front of him and he was unable to avoid the collision.

Arrangements have not been made yet but we will let everyone know when they are available.

Sonny
Natl Rep.
Charter Holder/Pres.
Chapter 9

Funeral Services for Boozefighter Woody Ch. 17, Lubbock, TX

By now most of you know we lost our dear brother Woody (Don Gaydon) yesterday (August 16th) after being on oxygen for far too long, and years of suffering. Here is a little more information on events if you are attending.

Viewing Tuesday August 18th 5:30 to 7:00 PM (​Franklin-​bartley Funeral Home 4444 S. Loop 289).

Meet at Crybaby’s to ride to funeral (9:00 AM Wed.) 3512 103rd.

Funeral 10 AM, Quaker St. Church of Christ, 19th and Quaker.

After graveside service, toast to Woody.

Ride to Lunch together.

Ride to Chapter 17 meeting at Crybaby’s after lunch.

Tentative Wake 6 PM at Fisher’s, 69th Dr. and Wayne Ave. (BYOB).

Guys,

It is with a heavy heart I report to you that Tim Linghor aka Boozefighter Cutter has passed away. He was returning to Williston North Dakota after Sturgis and a side trip to Omaha when his motorcycle left the road near Rosholt South Dakota. The tragedy happened Sunday morning around 10:00AM and he was killed during the accident. While the complete details are not yet known, it appears he may have fallen asleep while riding.

Services for Cutter will be 11:00 AM Friday August 14th at the St. Jo Catholic Church in Williston, ND.
If you would like to make floral arrangements the most convenient is Country Floral in Williston @ 701.572.9402.
Please join me in sending prayers to the family and to his Boozefighter Brothers in Chapter 75.

OWOF
JB

He is in critical condition at this time and what we know is the following:

1) He had his spleen removed today.
2) His Liver has a large gash that they found while removing his spleen. He also has sclerosis of the liver and that is causing problems for the doctors to stop the internal bleeding at this time.
3) He has a broken leg.
4) He has a broken nose and deviated septum.

The good news at this time is that he does not appear to have any head or brain trauma.

Please pass this along to any Boozefighters that I may not know. Thank you and keep keep him and his family in your thoughts.

Dirty xXx Keith

*** UPDATE July 22nd, 2009 ***

From Big Rick in DFW …

WENT TO SEE BROOKLYN, HE IS HEAVILY MEDICATED, BUT NOT IN A COMA. HE IS SWOLLEN BUT DOING OK. KEEP HIM AND HIS LOVELY WIFE IN YOUR PRAYERS.

*** UPDATE July 28th, 2009 ***

From Padre in chapter 59

I just got off the phone with Brooklyn. He sounded good but will be down for awhile. He was so moved by my phone call and concern he said he felt like crying. He is at John Peter Smith Hospital. 1500 S. Main Ft Worth, TX, 76104-4941. (817) 429-5156. Room#529. His given name is Robert Brill. I’m asking all my Bros and friends connected to the BFMC, when you get a moment call our brother and help raise his spirits. You would want that if it were you in the hospital.

L&R Padre