Ben died on June 15, 2014. He was preceded in death by his son, Tommy and his wife Reba of 66 years. He is survived by his children, Phillip, Stephen, Su-Ellen, Rebecca and Peggy and their spouses Kathy, Sandy, Jeffery, Robert and Joe; Grandchildren; Joshua, Jeremy, Jonathan, Katelyn and Randi; three great-grandchildren Devon, Nathan and Matthew; and by his brother Joseph. Ben served in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII. Ben was a retired Battalion Fire Chief from the St. Louis Fire Department. After his retirement he enjoyed building a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands of which many winters were spent. The summers were enjoyed at the Lake of the Ozarks. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wed., June 18, 2014 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 6303 Nottingham Ave. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.