Obituary of Ben Richardson

Ben Richardson was born in Lewisville, Arkansas on January 10, 1946. He was the son of the late Charles Richardson and the late Annie Bell (Barnes) Richardson. Ben graduated from Foster High School with the Class of 1964. From 1965 until 1968, Ben honorably served his country in the United States Army. He was an Expert Rifleman and his service included a year in Vietnam and receipt of three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal. Ben married the former Ruthie Pree, on March 18, 1968 in Lewisville. From this union the couple would have four children. Ben worked at the Ford Motor Company Monroe plant for thirty-nine years, retiring in 2008. He also attended Davis College in Toledo, Ohio. Ben valued his Christian faith receiving spiritual nourishment from Christian Fellowship Church in Erie and Supernatural Word Ministries in Detroit. He was a hardworking, loving man putting the needs of his family ahead of his own. Ben was very outgoing. He loved to travel. Ben also valued the time he spent with his grandchildren. In his free time Ben often enjoyed fishing, or watching football, keeping up with the Arkansas Razorbacks. As a young man, Ben was an avid bowler. Ben Richardson Sr., age 68 of Romulus, Michigan passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, April 18, 2014. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by his five sisters and four brothers. To cherish his memory, Ben leaves his beloved wife: Ruthie Richardson of Monroe; four children: LaDon (Liz) Pree of Monroe, Tawana R. Richardson of Monroe, Talesha Richardson of Toledo, and Ben Richardson Jr. of Taylor; eight grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and two sisters: Annie Bell Bass of West Memphis, Arkansas and Pearlie Mae Garland of Jacksonville, Arkansas. Friends gathered from 11:00am until 12:00pm, Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Hwy, (734) 241-7070 (formerly Bennett Funeral Services). A Homegoing Celebration of His Life took place at 12:00pm, with Pastor Tate of Supernatural Word Ministries officiating. Burial took place at 10:00am on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.