Benjamin Myers

— INTERLOCHEN — Benjamin Fletcher Myers Jr., 71, of Interlochen and formerly of Shelby Township and Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Ben was born Jan. 22, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Benjamin F. and Mary Irene (Harshman) Myers Sr. Following his high school education, Ben earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Toledo, and later his master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. He taught in the Warren Woods Public Schools and later taught at the University of Northern Iowa’s Price Lab School in Cedar Falls. In 2000, he realized his dream of moving “up north” to the Traverse City area where he was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Parish, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and taught swimming at the Civic Center. Ben was the recipient of the 50-year Red Cross award for teaching swimming. Enjoying fishing, reading and Western movies, Ben will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to make everyone laugh. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Tina; and his children, Jeffery (Jasmine) Myers, of Chesapeake, Va., Susan (Michael) Culver, of Fraser, and Douglas Myers, of Waterloo, Iowa. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Marc and Guille Myers, Michael Culver Jr., Alex Culver, Dalton, Dayton and Halie Myers and the mother of Ben’s children, Geraldine Myers, of Perrysburg, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation for Ben will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City with a wake service at 7 p.m., led by Deacon Rene Hoenscheid. Funeral services will take place at noon Tuesday, Feb. 8, also at the funeral home, with Father Donald Geyman officiating. For those considering a memorial contribution in Ben’s name, the family asks that you consider Ben’s favorite charity, Central Catholic High School, Memorial Fund, 2550 Cherry Street, Toledo, OH 43608. Please share your favorite memory of Ben with his family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Benjamin Myers

January 22, 1940