Ben Galyon

Ben Galyon of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly May 12, 2014.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Ben was a son of the late Fred and Laura Strong-Galyon. He was raised in the Detroit area and went on to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan. He retired from Thermal Industries out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His memberships included the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Kankakee Country Club, and Wilmington Rotary, where he was current/past president. Ben served as an election judge with Wesley Township and was a Wesley Township Trustee. He was one of the founding organizers of the Wilmington Christmas Walk, and made great contributions to Kuzma Care Cottage in Wilmington. He loved to golf, and was a great car enthusiast. Ben enjoyed music, was an accomplished trumpeter and cherished spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Ben was the devoted husband to Sandra Hobbs-Galyon; father of Craig (Lisa) Galyon of Plainfield, Shellie Galyon of Bloomington, Indiana; Dick (Andrea) Hobbs of Anchorage, Alaska, Lorraine (Tom) Neitzer of Danvers, Alicia (Frank) Levi of Annapolis, Maryland and Mark (Heather) Hobbs of Wilmington; grandfather of Andy Neitzer, Jacquelyn Nilsen, Brock Galyon, Tom Hobbs, Kalla Galyon, Catie Galyon, Jack Hobbs, Matt Hobbs, Colin Levi, Morgan Levi, Rachel Hobbs, Alec Galyon, Mary Faith Galyon, Michael Hobbs and Madison Levi; brother of Carolyn Oehler of Toledo, Ohio and Lanny Galyon of Walled Lake, Michigan, and uncle and friend to many.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; sister Eileen; brother Jay, and grandson Andy Neitzer.

The family will receive friends on Friday May 16, 2014 from 9:00AM until time of funeral service 11:00AM at Saint Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Steve Bondi officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services and a private inurnment will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Ben's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)