Benedict J. “Ben” Pethe

May 15, 1919 – March 3, 2006

Benedict J. “Ben” Pethe, 86, formerly of Edwardsburg, MI, and Miamisburg, Ohio, passed away at 12:35 a.m. Friday, March 3, in Liberty Retirement Center, Centerville, Ohio, where he had resided for the past few months. Ben was born May 15, 1919, in Whiting, Ind., the son of John and Katherine (Kudera) Pethe. He moved to Edwardsburg from Chesterton, Ind., in 1960, and after he retired he moved to Belleview, Fla., from 1986-1997. Then he moved to Miamisburg, Ohio, to be near his daughter. Ben worked for Miles Lab in Elkhart until his retirement in 1981 as an engineer, draftsman and designer.He graduated from Valparaiso University, and served in World War II in the Army Air Corps.

He married Goldena C. “Goldie” Burns on July 12, 1945, in Lubbock, Texas. She passed away Oct.29, 2001.

Surviving are a daughter, Kathy (Robert) Wolcott of Miamisburg, Ohio; three sons, Benedict J. (Marlyn) Pethe Jr. of Tampa, Fla., L. Gary (Joan) Pethe of Mishawaka, IN, and T. Kent (Linda) Pethe of Littletown, Colo. There are nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ben has a brother and a sister surviving, John A. (Marian) Pethe of Carmel, Ind., and Rosalie L. Lewis of Portage, Mich.; and a sister-in-law, Marge Pethe, and brother-in-law, Al Janczak.

Besides his parents, who are deceased, there is one brother and one sister deceased, Joseph A. Pethe and Margaret K. Janczak.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, in the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg, where services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, and where friends may also call one hour before services. Officiating will be Father Henry Randolph, pastor of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Elkhart.Burial will follow at Edwardsburg Cemetery, with graveside rites of flag folding and taps by the military.

Ben was a former member of St. David’s Episcopal Church

Source: Newspapers.com

04/08/2025 EJS