Benjamin "Ben" M. Lee

Benjamin “Ben” M. Lee, 91, of Monmouth, IL died at 2:03 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg.

He was born October 19, 1925 in Point Pleasant Township, Warren County, the son of Max and Pearl (Miller) Lee. Ben was raised and educated in Roseville and graduated from Roseville High School in 1942.

Ben served with the United States Army Air Corps toward the end of World War II, achieving the rank of Sergeant.

He married Carolyn E. Merion on November 20, 1949 in Monmouth and she passed away on April 2, 2010. After marriage, they lived in Roseville for 40 years where they were members of the Roseville United Methodist Church.

Ben farmed his entire life in the Roseville area, retiring in 1991, at which time they moved to Monmouth. He was an avid sportsman; he loved to play golf, an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and a great bowler and billiards player. He was a member of Monmouth County Club and Gibson Woods. Ben was a member of the Monmouth American Legion and participated in the Honor Flight in May of 2015.

Survivors include his children, Jeff M. (Tess) Lee of Temecula, CA, Linda S. (Steve) Grupenhagen of Burke, VA and Jim R. (Linda) Lee of Monmouth; his grandchildren; Jesse (Paige) Lee, Marye Lee, Shae (Adam) Mitchell, Amy Grupenhagen, Matt Geer, Katy (Ian) Geer and great grandchildren; A.J. Mitchell, Andrew & Emily Gunn. Also surviving is one sister, Martha (Howard) Nelson of California, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one sister Betty Kitchell.