TRAVERSE CITY — Benon B. Gatzke, 91, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at Munson Hospice House on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010.Ben was born June 14, 1919, in Isadore, to the late Michael and Helen (Kruse) Gatzke. He married Gladys J. Maslowski at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Isadore on Nov. 16, 1940. Together they raised two wonderful children.Ben grew up across the street from Holy Rosary Church, where he attended school and served as an altar boy. He began his restaurant career at Lautner's Restaurant, now Union Street Station, in Traverse City when he was 15. He went on to work for Ware's Auto and then Burley's Restaurant and Bar. A couple years later he and Gladys bought Burley's and changed the name to Ben's Bar. Together they ran Ben's Bar, now Mode's Bum Steer, for 29 years. Upon selling the restaurant, Ben went to work for Michigan Bell and retired 14 years later. Ben was a faithful member of St. Francis Catholic Church, a member of the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus. Ben enjoyed being outdoors, snowmobiling, mushrooming, bicycle riding, hunting and taking care of the garden. He also enjoyed participating in the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk and antique car shows. Ben and Gladys spent many summers traveling with their grandchildren and spending time with their great-grandchildren. Ben also enjoyed playing cards with his family. Ben had a contagious smile and a gift for making people laugh. It was obvious he adored Gladys by the way his eyes lit up when she entered the room. They had a special bond, and he will be dearly missed.Surviving Ben are his wife of 70 years, Gladys; daughter, Marie (Dave) LaBonte; granddaughter, Lori VanAntwerp; grandsons, Scott (Kerry) LaBonte and Chad LaBonte; and great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Zachary, Sophia, Austin, Erik, Hailey and Ali. Ben was preceded in death by his son, David; sister, Theresa Lamie; and brother, Tony Gatzke.Visitation for Ben will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary recitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Fr. Kenneth Stachnik will officiate the services. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation or to Mass Intentions. Please sign Ben's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.