Benjamin H. Clupper Jr., 88, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, June 6, 2011, at his residence.

Ben was born Dec. 22, 1922, in Sodus, the son of Benjamin and Nellie (Fields) Clupper Sr. He attended school in Sodus and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1943. When his parents moved to Niles, Ben and his younger brother Earl lived at the YMCA to finish their schooling in Benton Harbor, only returning home on weekends.

Ben served in the Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Dobbin, stationed in Australia.

Upon returning to Dowagiac, he married Lois Jean Maxwell of Marion, Ind., and farmed for many years.

On Aug. 31, 1984, he was united in marriage with Henrietta Devries-Miller of Portage. They moved to Mattawan, where they resided for 16 years, still farming with a you-pick red and black raspberry farm.

He was a member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church, a life member of VFW Post 1137 and a life member of the Military Order of Cooties Triple Sec Puptent, where he served as Seam Squirrel and past Grand Commander of the M.O.C. Department of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by: his first wife, Lois Jean; brothers, Darwin, Howard, Field and Earl Clupper; and one great-grandchild, Gabriella Clupper.

Ben is survived by: his wife, Henrietta; three children, Patty (Gary) Bartley of Dowagiac, Stanley (Laraine) Clupper of Dowagiac and Howard Neil (Carol) Clupper of Niles; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Lambillotte of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel-Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Silver Creek UMC, 31994 Middle Crossing Road, Dowagiac. Please share a memory at www.yazel-clark.com.