Ben Leroy Chew of Sullivan, MO, formerly of Cuba was born Wednesday, April 16, 1941 in Sullivan, MO, to the union of Harry E. and Helen (Nee: Winfrey) Chew and left from this life, surrounded by family, on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at his home in Sullivan at the age of 75 years.
Ben, or Leroy, as he was known by many, was united in marriage to Arbell Turnbough on October 5, 1963 in Cuba, MO. They were the proud parents of Debra, Donna, Tammy, Tresa, Margie and Ben.
Ben worked from 1964 until 1969 for the City of Cuba. In September of 1969, he went to work for MoDOT and he retired on September 1, 2000 after thirty-one years of dedicated service.
In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, gardening and mushroom hunting. Ben and Arbell enjoyed traveling the back roads looking for deer, going to the river to sit on the bank and have supper and setting outside on the front porch watching the world go by. They traveled every year to Arkansas to visit family and made several trips to Florida to visit family also.
Ben treasured the times all of his children were together and he would just sit back and listen to them telling stories. Family gatherings were truly his favorite time of year especially Thanksgivings at the VFW in Leasburg and Christmas when they all played card games together.
Ben was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle and friend of everyone. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Helen Chew, son Ben L. Chew, grandson James Randall Evans, brothers Elmer Chew, Harold Chew and Harry Chew, sister Peggy Danley, sisters-in-law Dormalee Chew and Barbara and husband Jr. Logan, three brothers-in-law Paul Plyer, Robert Turnbough and William Turnbough and other family and friends.
Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving wife of fifty-three years Arbell Chew of the home, five daughters Debra “Debbie” and husband Jerry Furman of Springfield, MO, Donna and husband Robin McDaniel of Pensacola, FL, Tammy and husband William Portner of Sullivan, Tresa and husband Jim McCaskell of Cuba and Margie and husband Jamie Farmer of Springdale, AR, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, one brother Bobby Chew of Leasburg, five sisters-in-law Alvina Housewright of Bourbon, Bonnie Mercer, Wanda and husband James Heads, Catherine Mercer and Sue Plyer all of Greenforest, AR, one brother-in-law Gary and wife Cathy Turnbough of Fayetteville, AR, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, October 25, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W. Washington Street, Cuba.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Mizell Funeral Home. Special recorded music will be “Snow in His Hair”, “I Saw a Man” and “Daddy’s Hands.” Special memories were shared by son-in-law Robin McDaniel.
Interment and prayers will follow at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba.
In lieu of flowers donations may be to the American Cancer Society in Ben’s memory.
Online condolences at www.mizellfh.com.
The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba was honored to be serving Mr. Chew’s family.