Benjamin Farnsworth

Benjamin (Ben) T. Farnsworth, 86, of Danville, passed away at 9:36 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2006 at Provena United Samaritan Medical Center in Danville. Ben was born on February 25, 1920 in Potomac, Illinois, the son of Raleigh and Vera (Wallace) Farnsworth. He married Gladys Myrtle Hughes on June 18, 1943 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, of 63 years; two sons, Lewis (Judy) Farnsworth of Danville and Bill Farnsworth of Tampa, Florida; three daughters, Carol Zimmerman of Westville, Illinois; Donna Gehlbach of Waterloo, Illinois; and Cathy Fink of Danville; two brothers, Lorenzo (Larry) Farnsworth of Danville and Frank E. Farnsworth of Springfield, Oregon; three sisters, Frances Frye of Penfield, Illinois, Lucille Sanders of Tempe, Arizona, and Vera Cross of Danville; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, David L. Farnsworth, and one sister Martha Rutan. Ben graduated in 1940 from Henning High School. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corp during World War II in Brisbane, Australia. Ben was also a graduate of Utterback-Brown Business College in Danville. He was a machinist, retiring from Estad in Danville in 1978. He also worked as an accountant for the Danville Army Reserve. Ben enjoyed collecting spoons, working in the yard, carpentering, and doing odd jobs for people. He was a member of the VFW Post 728. A celebration of the life of Benjamin (Ben) T. Farnsworth will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Joel Ferren officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00p.m. Monday, November 20, 2006 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to be made in Bens name to the American Heart Association. E-mail condolences may be sent to the Family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com