Benjamin Praeger

 A Celebration of Life service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 12, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Harris Hoekwater officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery with military rites by the Stevensville American Legion. Friends may visit from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, August 11 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service or to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

 Benjamin was born on January 12, 1940 in Chicago, IL to Otto and Bertha (Tuttle) Praeger. After school, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy.  He married Martel “Martie” Bobenmoyer on May 1, 1976 in St. Joseph. Upon honorable discharge from the service, he began his love affair with flying at Ross Field in Benton Harbor and as a Customer Service Agent for North Central Airlines. He later transferred to the Kalamazoo Airport, where he served as Supervisor until his retirement in 2006.

 A true aviation buff, Ben was a member of the Tail Draggers Flying Club, held his private pilot’s license, was a certified flight instructor, and flew the aerial photographer for the Herald Palladium. Ben loved history and frequently toured museums and war memorials. He loved traveling and visited many countries including Russia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. As a lover of golf, he traveled to the Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland, attended the Masters, the US Open, as well as the PGA Championship. After retirement, he stayed very busy driving a bus for the St. Joseph Senior Center, working at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course, volunteering for the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores, and scored a hole-in-one on two occasions while playing in his golf leagues. He spent his entire life as a member of the Die Hard Cubs Fan Club. He will be remembered by all as a great storyteller.

 Benjamin is survived by his wife Martie; children Jim (Judy) Praeger of Kalamazoo, Cristie (Kevin Conway) Praeger of Brooklyn, NY, and Carrie (Johnathan) Feiler of Westerly, RI; grandchildren Bailey, Kelsey, and Samantha Praeger; a brother George Praeger of Glennie, MI; and many special companion pets. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Shirley Rauch.