COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Benjamin Franklin Howery left this earth on New Year’s Day . He died at home following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ben was born in Chicago on April 21, 1938, to Angela Voda and Benjamin Franklin Howery. His father passed away when Ben was 8 years old. His mother, Angela, later married George Brockmeier who was a caring stepfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Angela Johnson; and stepbrothers, Warren (Virginia) and Raymond (Eileen) Brockmeier.
The family summered on Lake Michigan near Chesterton, Indiana and later moved to the lake when Ben was beginning high school. Growing up on the lake was an important part of Ben’s life .He graduated from Chesterton High School and then attended Indiana University where he met his future wife, Diane Hamilton. They would have been married 55 years on January 26.
Settling in Columbus, Ben began work at Hartup Tool, where he remained for 30+ years working first in tool and die and later with the special machinery division.
Ben and Diane were blessed with two sons, John Allen (Cindy) Howery and Matthew Hamilton (Carrie) Howery as well as four grandchildren, Benjamin Willet Howery, Emma McClung, Madison McClung and Zac McClung.
Ben was both curious and inquisitive. He was precise, patient, and detail oriented. He taught his family to really notice details and beauty in the world around us. He loved being outdoors.
He believed if a job was worth doing, it should be done well. He loved his books and was interested in all types of history from pre-historic to the beginnings of our country.
Ben was a loving husband and a supportive and a fun companion for life’s journey together. He was a proud and involved father and grandfather. He had a wonderful laugh!
Ben met the struggles of Alzheimer’s disease with courage and grace, working so hard to help and do what was needed. He had special smiles for loved ones until the very end.
We, his family, are so grateful that he was able to remain at home. Special thanks go to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana for their invaluable help, the kind and capable HHA’s from Elder’s Journey Health Care, and especially Janie Barger who helped Ben for 3 years…Ben’s family considered Janie to be a special gift to all of us.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Westside Community Church with Pastor Dennis Aud officiating.
Family and friends may gather for visitation from 5 p.m. until service time Thursday at the church.
The committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Canaan Cemetery in Canaan, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Westside Community Church.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
