Notes for: Benjuiman ("Ben") Henry Bodine, Sr.
From Ronny Bodine:
Obituary, The Daily News of 15 Jan 2008.
Benjuiman Henry Bodine, 84, passed away at home Jan. 10, 2008, with family at his side as he wished. He was born Oct. 13, 1923, in Langley Prairie, B.C., to Henry and Elsie Bodine. In 1935, the family moved back to their original homestead in Shanghai Valley, now known as Rose Valley. Ben graduated from Kelso High School in 1943 and entered the Army. In 1944, Ben earned the Bronze Star for "Heroic Achievement" as an automatic rifleman in the Pacific. He loved telling the story of the look on General Douglas McCarther's face as he gave Ben a second award in as many weeks, "So we meet again," were McCarther's words. He married Catherine "Eldean" Liles Aug. 17, 1947, and they raised six children, Clint "Sandy" and Yolanda Bodine of San Antonio, Texas, Linda Sensenig of Kelso, Ben Bodine Jr. "Bo" and Linda Bodine of Olympia, Dianne and Jim Rush of Eugene, David and Nancy Bodine of LaCenter, Anthony "Skip" and Toni Bodine of Kelso; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. In 1954, he graduated from Palmer Chiropractic College. Never one to be idle, he was also a logger and in 1963, he became a Cowlitz County deputy sheriff. He served for 17 years before retiring on disability. In retirement, he and Eldean traveled and grew amazing gardens each year. He loved his home and working his land. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Gunter and Emogene Butler; and a brother, James bodine. Survivors include his wife of 60 years; all their children; a brother, Robert Bodine of Ocean Park; and two sisters, Ruth Downey of Sandy Valley, Nev., and Amplais Sterling of Portland. A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park. Interment will take place at Rose Valley Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Rose Valley Grange. The viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home. Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.