Homer P. "Ben" Benden

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008 7:25 AM EDT
Beaver County Times

Homer P. "Ben" Benden, 85, of Franklin Township, formerly of West Mayfield, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in The Medical Center, Beaver.

Born August 25, 1922, in Fishertown, Pa., a son of the late Howard M. and Lillian P. Harr Benden, he was a veteran of World War II having served as a medic in the Army overseas for 28 months.

He retired in 1987 as a straightener from Standard Steel Specialty, West Mayfield, after 45 years of service.

He was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Mary's Church, Beaver Falls; a former member of the Rochester American Legion, and was a charter member of the West Mayfield Vets.

He was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame on April 12, 1987. He played for the county league from 1940 to 1954, played Army baseball in North Africa in 1943, and was a player-manager of the Rochester Legion teams in both the county league and legion league from 1948 to 1950, and West Mayfield from 1953 to 1954. He signed with the Beaver Falls Browns at age 16, played pro ball in Lenoir in North Carolina in 1940 and Erie, Pa. in 1947. His career ended due to injury. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Balog Benden, whom he married Aug. 20, 1949; a son, Michael P. Benden, Charlotte, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen A. and Rodney Smith, Franklin Township; two brothers, Lyman E. Benden, Raccoon Township, and Regis L. Benden, West Mayfield; a sister, Freida Estermeyer, West Mayfield, and two grandchildren, Adam and Brittany Smith.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Faber E. and Aloysius
Benden.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. in the LUTTON CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 117 Blackhawk Road, www.luttonfuneralhome.com, where prayers will be offered Saturday at 8:50 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Beaver Falls.

Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

The Beaver County Special Unit will meet at the cemetery at 10:15 a.m. to conduct full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Divine Mercy Academy Angel Fund, 604 10th St., Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010.