Benjamin King IV, 84, of Connersville passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Heritage House of Connersville.
One of five children, Ben was born in Streator, Illinois, on Sept. 27, 1934, the son of Benjamin King III and Margaret (Hall) King.
Benjamin graduated from Mississinewa High School, Gas City, Indiana, in 1952. His senior year Ben began working at Owens Illinois Glass in Gas City and advanced to Production Supervisor. His academic studies began at Taylor University in 1954. He attended Purdue University in 1956, Rider College in New Jersey 1974-1978, earned his Bachelor of General Studies at Indiana University East in 1982 at Richmond, IN and received his Master of Arts from Ball State University in 1986.
Ben married Barbara (Peters) on August 29, 1957 in Gas City, Indiana. She proceeded in death on May 25, 1992. Ben served in the United States Air Force during 1957-1961, teaching radar maintenance in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Beginning in 1961, Ben was the training coordinator for Philco/Ford Corp in Philadelphia then came to Connersville in 1979 to develop training programs for new product launches as the Connersville Ford plant expanded its product lines. Ben was very proud of the Connersville plant employees and the apprenticeship program. He helped launch a college program with Indiana and Purdue Universities to provide in-plant classes for employees. He designed and established an in-plant Master of Arts degree program with Ball State University for both employees and non-employees. He retired from Ford in 1997.
Active in the Connersville community, Ben served on the United Way committee, President of Whitewater Valley College programs, Junior Achievement, Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Fayette Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Program Consultant-IU East Connersville Center, Adjunct Faculty-IU East and Purdue Programs and American Heart Association. He was a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, served as church treasurer and leader in the church and member of Historical Connersville.
Ben married Rita (Moore) Wood at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, October 8, 1993. His most enjoyable time was spent with family and friends at Lake Tippecanoe in northern Indiana. He loved fly-fishing, boating, hiking, traveling and spending time in Panama City, Florida.
Benjamin is survived by and will be lovingly missed by his wife, Rita and his family; daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Hoffman of Millville, NJ; son, Benjamin V (Stacey) King of Gallatin, TN; daughter, Sandra (Chad) Hodson of Connersville; step-daughter, Katina Maners of Connersville, sister, Nancy Ballinger of Greenwood, IN, brother, Robert King, Gas City, IN, brother, Richard King of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren; Jessica King, Meredith (Tim) Sastic, Benjamin VI (Misty) King, Diana Hoffman, Victoria and Christopher King, Lauren and Emily Hodson, Joshua (Crystal) Dawson, Katelyn Garrison, Isaac and Iain Lang and Natalie Draper; great grandchildren; Matthew and Benjamin King, Josiah, Daniel and Emma Sastic, Brayten Dawson and new baby Janis Lee Ann; In-laws; David (Gloria) Moore and Joe Moore, several nieces and nephews.
His parents, his first wife, Barbara Peters; sister, Jean Rhoten; sister-in-law, Kay King, daughter-in-law, Christine King and granddaughter, Rebecca King preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the funeral home. Pastor Gwen Pew will officiate. Burial with military honors provided by Fayette County Veterans Council will follow at Dale Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.