Benjamin DeZarn

ANCONA-  Benjamin Franklin DeZarn 83 of Ancona and Garland Texas died Wednesday (May 23, 2012) at Baylor Medical Center, Garland Texas.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator with Monsignor Brian Brownsey, officiating. Visitation will be from Noon-1:00 PM Saturday at Hagi Funeral Home. Burial will be in Defenbaugh Cemetery, rural Ancona.

Mr. DeZarn was born Oct. 27, 1928 in Pence Indiana, the son of Robert Franklin and Delia (Whitis) DeZarn. He married Florence Bradley at Immaculate Conception’s rectory, July 18, 1950. She survives.

Ben had been employed by the Nickel Plate, New York Central, Penn Central and Conrail railroads, from 1945-1990. He also served as caretaker of the Defenbaugh Cemetery for many years. He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church, Streator and St. Michael the Archangel Church, Garland Texas. Ben had previously held the office of Financial Secretary at the Streator Knights of Columbus where he was a 4 ^th Degree member. He was active in Livingston County and Reading Township politics, holding the office of Reading Township Supervisor for several years.

He is survived by his wife Florence, two daughters, Martha Johnson, University Park IL, and Lana (Michael) Howell, Garland TX, one son James (Fran) DeZarn, Ancona, three grandchildren, Jade and Amber Johnson and Ariel Howell, two great grandchildren, Jayla Johnson and Taelyn Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Dortha DeZarn, Mary Esther Hensley, Cleo Jane Amick and Martha Rachel DeZarn, four brothers, Robert, Pearl “Jim”, Lee Roy “Pete” and Bert DeZarn

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.