Benjamin Lee Stone, age 84, of Miles City passed away on December 8, 2012 at Holy Rosary Hospice.
Ben was born August 19, 1928 in Glendive, MT to Lee-Roy and Opal Stone and moved to Miles City when still a baby. He graduated from Custer County District High School and served eight years in the National Guard. He worked for Foster Drug Store, Caterpillar (Tractor and Equipment) in Miles City until they closed and then worked at Miles and Ulmers for 26 years until they closed. He then worked in Janitorial/Maintenance at Sacred Heart School, Head Start and Eagles Manor still working there two hours a day until his latest illness in August of this year. He and Audrey were married on July 16, 1950 and were blessed with 3 children, Terry in October 1951, David in September 1955 and Valerie in September 1963.
Ben was a quiet, stay at home person who liked to putter in his basement and in the winters did many jigsaw puzzles. His family tried to stump him with the most difficult puzzles they could find but he managed to put them together. He also loved to keep an eye on all construction work around town. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents Lee-Roy and Opal, brother Dale and his son Terry. He is survived by his wife Audrey, son David of Ridgecrest, CA, daughter Valerie Thome and her husband Brian of Indianapolis, IN, daughter-in-law Betty Stone of Billings, granddaughter Debby and her husband Daniel, great-grandson Tyler Brewer of Dickinson ND, sister Leta Cote of Santa Rosa CA, sister Delores Kalvig of Billings as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday December 12, 2012 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday December 13, 2012 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City with internment following in the family plot of Custer County Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Holy Rosary Hospice. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 12, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday December 13, 2012
First United Methodis Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 12, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday December 13, 2012
First United Methodis Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Toni Campbell Tivy says
Audrey, Val, Terry,David and other family members-I am so sorry to see that you have lost your husband, Father and Grandfather. Ben was such a kind, gentle and caring person and such a great neighbor to us-he was so nice and so patient with all of us neighborhood kids as we ran in and out of the house in the summertimes and hours of kickball on the corner near his house (which was 3rd base) Later after I grew up, I really enjoyed running into him downtown and visiting with him when he worked at Miles & Ulmer-he was the ultimate customer service person and made sure you left the store with all of the items you needed. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Carlene and Clarence Root says
Audrey and family,
We were sure saddened to hear about Ben’s passing. You and your family are in our prayers. We will sure miss him sitting in front of us in Church. Carlene and Clarence Root.
Kay Carlson says
Audrey, Val and Dave,
I am so sorry to hear about Benny’s passing. He was always the consumate gentleman. He was kind and giving. Your family became part of my life so very long ago and will always remain in my heart. I am glad I got to visit with you Audrey and Benny when Terry passed. I will treasure that last visit. You’re all in my heart and prayers.
Ruben and June Opp says
Audrey and Family We are so sorry to hear of Bens passing Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time and the days ahead May God bless and comfort you all
Ruben and June Opp
patricia christopherson says
My friend Audrey:
What a wonderful footprint Benny left on this planet! His kindness, humor, helpfulness to others is unprecedented, and he will be missed by so many.
My prayers for you and your family Audrey..I will be in touch very soon.
God’s Blessings to each of you….Patricia Christopherson
Ralph Poffenberger says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. Benny will be missed by the entire neighborhood
Leann Bankey says
I will never forget the night you and Benny came to the house to take Katie and I out to dinner at Airport Inn, and then driving around looking at the Christmas lights. You two where great conformands. Benny will always hold a special place in my heart.
Mike & Dorrie Mangen says
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a nice guy, I remember him helping me buy things at Miles and Ulmer and the church.
James Birkholz says
Ben was a class act and came as close as anyone that I know to living a life as Christ would have us live it. He helped my mother and me many times in small little ways over the years, like helping me fix our lawn mower, often stopping by and taking time out of his day. God bless his family.
Marvin L. Nelson says
Rest in Peace, Benny
First met Benny while attending 1st Grade at the Garfield School. He was indeed a gentleman, a friend and a quiet soul.
Mollie (ostendorf) and Aaron Phipps says
So sorry for your loss. Ben always had a smile, a kind word, and was an example of what a work ethic is. I loved hime when I was kid getting into mischief in Miles and Ulmer, and enjoyed exchanging a few words with him as an adult when we met by chance. May his love shine down on your family from Heaven, he is there with the angels for sure!
Dick Culver says
Ya know, I never knew Ben by name but he was one of those rare type of people that would do anything he could to make your day better when shopping at Miles and Ulmer. A man I respected, R.I.P.
Alison Boe Schwarzkopf says
Dave and Val, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Words cannot express how sad of time this is for you. You have my deepest condolences. I firmly believe that some day, we’ll all be together again.
Blessings to you.
Alison
Cathy Hall Emerson says
I am sorry for your loss. He was so efficient at everything he set his hand to. I would need something at Miles and Ulmer and I never knew his name at the time but I would always track him down or if he was busy with someone else I wouldn’t let anyone help me but him. May you find comfort in your time of sorrow.
Rob & Netty Bergerson says
Aunt Audrey
We will miss seeing Uncle Benny around Miles City. We always looked forward to seeing both of you when we came to church or family get togethers… ((hugs))
Rob & Netty
Steve and Jan VanFossen says
Audrey and family,
We remember Ben so fondly. He was such a warm, kind and caring man. Always had a smile for us when we met. Ben will be missed by so many, but we have our memories to sustain us. God bless all of you. We keep you in our prayers.
Rich McRae says
Valarie – you and I were in Mrs. Keating’s first grade together. Before then, I remember going into Miles & Ulmer, perhaps at age 4, and your dad helped pull a red rider wagon down from a high shelf. I remember the interaction between your dad, my dad, and others at the store – since I was surveying the entire experience – and he was the man at Miles & Ulmer that I always remembered after that. So sorry for your loss.
Daniel Mowry says
Very sorry for your loss. Mr. Stone (and entire family) was always a great neighbor to us and we were lucky to have great conversations. He treated us kids with respect and like we were grownups – plenty of respect and good manners. God Bless.
Mary Ann Liles says
Dear Audrey and family,
We will miss Benny so much. Not only was he a gentleman, he was such fun to be around and had a terrific sense of humor. He was someone you would immediately trust, he just had that aura (even though I teased him about being scary). Our thoughts and daily prayers are with you. God bless you. Jim and Mary Ann
TERRY SCANLAN HULFORD says
Dear Audrey, David, & Valerie,
I am so sorry to learning of Ben’s passing, you all have always been very dear to me and I wish I could be there for the service. Just know that all of you are in my thoughts & prayers
always. May the Lord Bless & comfort all of you at this time of great sorrow. I will always remember Ben, as a very kind man, & always very caring & helpful when he worked at Miles & Ulmer’s. God Bless All of You at this time. Much Love, Terry & Marvin.
LaRae Tangen says
Audrey and family,
So, sorry to hear about Ben passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I have the fondest memories of Ben while working at Head Start. He always had a smile on his face and took the time to talk to me each day. 🙂 Will miss seeing him.
Cara Willson says
Audrey and family, I am so saddened to hear of Benny’s passing. He was such a dear to work with. He made my days at Headstart so fun. I will really miss Ben’s smile and his sense of humor. May the many happy memories sustain you during this sad time. Love and prayers, Cara
Cindy Bock says
Audrey, I am so sorry to learn from Cara Willson that Benny has passed on. I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to work at Head STart with him, and then I moved to North Dakota. He used to tease me so badly about needing a passport to come home to MT! I just thought the world of him, and he was such a fun person to work with and be around. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers…….Cindy
val thome says
Thank you all for the kind words. Dad will be missed. He and Terry are watching trains somewhere.
Brad and Jeanne Jones says
So sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. Your family was so much a part of my life growing up, Ben was always kind to us lads, even when we didn’t deserve it. He was always there for my parents at Miles and Ulmer. Many great memories were made in your home. We get to keep the memories. Best wishes and prayers, Brad
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Ben was a kind and dear man. We always enjoyed visiting with him. You have our sincere condelences at his passing.
Tom and Lillian