Benjamin Harrison Jenkins III

Ben was born November 12, 1942 in Quincy, IL, the son of Benjamin II and Christine (Green) Jenkins. He was united in marriage to Frances Sinnett on September 10,1966 in Peoria, IL. She survives of the home.

Ben is survived by his daughters, Amy Gill of Bethel, MO, and Katie Wiley (Ryan) of Philadelphia, MO; four grandchildren, James (JD) Dishman, Ben Dishman, Andrew Wiley, Adrien Wiley; one sister, Sharon Bailey of East Peoria, IL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Dorothy Sinnett of Marietta, IL; and many nieces and nephews, to many he was their “favorite Uncle Ben” or “UB”

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Jim Dishman; brother-in-law Bob Bailey, brother-in-law and sister-in-laws: Ray and Sandy Couch, Junior and Joan Sinnett, Jim and Emma Sinnett, Jim and Betty Rench.

Ben graduated from Spalding High School in Peoria in 1961. He served in the US Navy from 1964-1968 on the USS Forrestal and USS America in the Atlantic. He was passionate about his service and his dad’s ultimate sacrifice in World War 2. Shortly before his death, he was able to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Ben attended Bradley University and after serving in the military, he became an industrial electrician at Caterpillar Tractor Company in the Morton, IL, facility. He retired after working 40 years. Following his retirement from Caterpillar, Ben drove a bus for Laidlaw Transportation for many years.

Ben was his family’s biggest cheerleader, dedicating his free time to attending as many extra curricular activities as possible, and making sure his family’s needs were met. He and his wife, Fran, were heavily involved in the Limestone High School Band Boosters,and the Illinois Valley Figure Skating Club. In addition, he served as a Bartonville Auxiliary Police Officer for 30 years. He also served on the Bartonville Zoning Board. Ben had a zest for life, living his life in song, and he really enjoyed to tell jokes and play jokes on others. That sense of humor was often seen during the many deer hunting seasons on his wife’s family farm near Bushnell, IL. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, and he enjoyed traveling around the country.

Ben was a long-time member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Bartonville, IL, serving on the Parish Council and serving as a youth group leader. Most recently he attended Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel, MO.

Visitation will be Monday June 8, 2026 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A funeral mass will be Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 11 a.m. at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bartonville. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the church.

Burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Quincy, Il with Military Honors.

A memorial service will be held on June 14, 2026, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel, MO at 2pm, with the family receiving friends one hour prior.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolences and tributes may be made through the funeral home website at Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com