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VIEW “A BUILDER AND HIS TOOLS”
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Ben
was born on March 28, 1934, in Montgomery County, Illinois to Raymond
and Gladys Boehler of Wagner, Illinois. Ben was the beloved father of three children: Pamela Babcock of Houston, Everett (Butch) Boehler of Barron, WI, and Patrice Boehler of St. Louis. He was Grandfather of five: Timothy Boehler, Jason Boehler, Katherine Boehler-Shipley, Ryan Babcock and Patrick Babcock. |
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| Ben was also the
Great-Grandfather of Valerie Boehler, Kayla Babcock and Elizabeth Ann
Shipley.
Also surviving are his sister, Darlene Weller and brother-in-law Elvin Weller of Girard, IL. His parents, sister Shirley Marshall of Santa Fe, TX, brother Burt, and nephew Rick Boehler preceded him in death. |
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Ben grew up on a farm outside Wagner, Illinois, and came from a family of hard workers and true music lovers. Ben had a beautiful voice and played “ho down” music on his fiddle while his mother played banjo or piano and his dad played harmonica or accordion. Ben's parents came from a large families, so at frequent gatherings most family members would either be singing or playing an instrument. It was in this small Illinois town that he met Barbara J. Lutz, and in December of 1951 the young couple traveled to St. Charles, MO to be married. The happy couple honeymooned in Kentucky, and it was there that the newlyweds purchased their first piece of furniture for $25. Barbara now resides in Fulton, MO. |
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Even though the newlyweds were both from Wagner, they spent their early years in Girard, Illinois. Ben worked construction, building agricultural and residential buildings, and was also a volunteer firefighter in Girard. In 1957, with a wife and three little ones, Ben began Girard Construction Co. At that point, the small family pulled up stakes, and with a small crew and their families, traveled the Midwest constructing farm buildings. They eventually settled in Salem, Illinois where they raised their families and became part of that community. Ben and his family were members of St. Theresa Catholic Church and Ben became an active member of the local Lion's Club (President 1974-75). |
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Girard Construction Co. eventually
became Girard Wholesale Supplies, located south of Salem on Rt. 37, and
also continued building agricultural and commercial buildings throughout the Midwest for nearly
three decades. |
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Ben was a true innovator. While he was growing up, and also throughout his adult years, he had a reputation for “tinkering or piddling.” This would serve him well later in life. While experimenting with new products, different products, and new building techniques, Ben developed many construction and design ideas that are still being used in the ag-building industry today. |
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Ben served as a Director of the National Frame Builder's Association, and was the recipient of the 1985 National Frame Builders Association Hall of Fame Award. This award held a very special meaning for Ben because the winner was selected by his peers, and it recognized those who served the industry and customers selflessly. |
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Ben also loved working with people. He loved animals and had a great appreciation for nature. His idea of retirement was creating a new business that would enable him to spend his time, once again, doing something he would enjoy. |
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Instead
of retiring, he began his new business, Pet Radio Fence, to install
electric underground pet fence systems. This allowed him to spend much
of his time enjoying the outdoors with his dear companion DeDe—his
much loved red Doberman. Ben
loved serving Salem, and the neighboring communities in this capacity
for many years. Ben, DeDe,
and the “pet fence” were so successful that the business
will now continue under the new ownership of Ben’s close friend, Jim
Crouse, who has played an active role in the business since its
beginning.
Many who knew Ben would sometimes remark on how “intelligent” or “accomplished” he was. Ben just called it “good old common sense,” and thought of it as an essential life skill. |
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| Ben’s childhood on the farm was instrumental in teaching him this particular skill. He and his family survived the depression. Money was scarce, but they were blessed with the ability to grow, raise, catch, or hunt almost all of their food. Growing up on a farm during these times demanded a strong work ethic, and his parents also passed on to all their children an honest, yet compassionate moral code. | 
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Another trait this family appreciated was a good sense of humor, and all the Boehlers possessed a keen sense of humor and an intense zest for life. These are also traits that Ben and Barbara always tried to live by and instill in their children. Through his compassionate nature, and his always
present sense of fairness, Ben gave his children and grandchildren not
only special memories, but unconditional love.
His wish for his children, and all his descendants, was a life
of love, good health, and happiness.
In addition, and just as important, Ben knew the value of a
good education, good common sense, and the ability to temper one with
the other. He wanted to
see his children and descendents with their feet planted solidly on
the ground, and their heads squarely on their shoulders.
For Ben, these were valuable and very necessary traits that
were worthy of teaching to his children and the generations that
followed. |
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Ben’s children, and many others who knew or worked with him, have commented on how much they have learned from him, even at times when they may not have shared that same enthusiasm. He was never one to be selfish with any kind of knowledge or technique. Ben used to say, half jokingly, “There’s the wrong way, and there’s Ben’s way.” It was part of Ben’s nature to do things as best and as perfectly as possible. Ben could be quite the perfectionist, always striving to improve, whether it was re-inventing an object, or tweaking a technique. Ben truly loved teaching others. For him, passing on whatever he may have learned or discovered was his way of contributing—maybe even making the world a little better place. |
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Ben was very humble about his achievements and successes in
this world, and seriously wondered at times if he had really
accomplished very much. His family and friends would probably disagree
as they look around and marvel at all of his accomplishments and
important roles he has played.
More importantly, to many of us, his is an example of an attitude towards life, family, community, and mankind. This is an attitude worth adopting. It’s this attitude that touched the hearts and minds of so many. |
 A PASSION FOR “COOKING OUT” |
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Ben also strongly believed in God. He and Barbara raised their children in a Christian home. As years passed, and Ben grew older, he also grew closer to God, as many of us do. He would pray nightly, and on Sunday mornings he would sit on his porch with DeDe and read his Bible. He didn’t pray for himself…but all those he loved, and those who needed help or healing. He was always grateful for the blessings in his life. Ben always gave God all the credit for the good things, but never blamed God for hard times. |
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| Ben has touched the lives of
countless people with his warm personality and his witty insight.
He has given of himself for so many years, and thus has made an
immeasurable difference in many lives, and contributions to this and
other communities. We
have been blessed by knowing you, Ben.
So, until we meet in the next world, you will be sorely missed.
We love you, and thank you for all you have given us.
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BARBARA and BEN |
PATRICK, BEN, DARLENE, BUTCH, PATTY, CONNIE, PAM,
PEANUT
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