Born: March 30, 1919

Died: Sept. 22, 2012

Benjamin F. Bement Jr., 93, of Dowagiac, passed away at his home on Sept. 22, 2012, in the care of his family.

Ben’s life began on March 30, 1919, in Ontwa Township, the son of Benjamin F. and Pearl (Wagner) Bement Sr. He married Frances Kownover on May 4, 1941, in Edwardsburg. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1997.

Ben was co-owner with his father of a grocery store in Dowagiac from 1937 to 1944. He and his father founded the farm operation and home, where it continues under the next two generations. A Mason for 70 years, he belonged to the Dowagiac and Edwardsburg lodges, the Valley of South Bend Scottish Rite, Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889 and the United Methodist Church of Cassopolis. He served on numerous civic and agricultural boards over his years. Most notably were the Board of Directors of Production Credit Association in Kalamazoo, then serving six years on the Seventh District Farm Credit Board of Directors in St. Paul, Minn. Locally, he was affiliated with the National Management Association and the Cass County Council on Aging. Ben served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

His family includes children Jane (Stephen) Poe, of Niles, Jerry (Julia) Bement, of Dowagiac, and Natalie (Don) Rector, of Marshall; his grandchildren Matt Poe, Liz Poe Russell, Jesse Bement, Andy Rector and Frank Rector. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren.

His family will greet friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Yazel-Clark Chapel in Dowagiac. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac with the Rev. John Kasper officiating. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Ben’s honor may be made to Cass County Council on Aging or Great Lakes Caring Hospice. Please sign Ben’s guestbook and leave a memory at www.yazel-clark.com.