Bernard 'Ben' Waclaw

Bernard Ben Stephen Waclaw, 88, of Danville, entered Gods kingdom at 12:22 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the VA Illiana Healthcare Systems. Bernard was born August 12, 1921 to Ferdinand and Catherine Waclaw. He grew up in Hegeler Village attending St. Anthonys with his brothers Edward, Rudy, Ferdinand and sisters Dorothy and Bernadine. He graduated from Westville High School. Ben worked at Hegeler Furnaces before enlisting in the United States Army in September of 1942. He was with the 83rd Division, when he was wounded in action during the battle of Echternach, Luxembourg and was awarded the Purple Heart. After recovering he was transferred to the Air Corps in England. All three of his brothers also served in the armed forces. Upon returning to the states after the war, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. Ben helped build a dam in Charleston, Illinois and trails in Brown County State Park. He married Davida L. Marks in 1948. She preceded him in death in 1996. Ben attended Utterbach Business College and was a senior time study engineer at General Motors for 30 years when he retired in 1980. Ben is survived by one daughter Nancy (Kent) Gouty and four grandchildren- Blake, Wes, Kris and A.J. all of Bedford, Indiana. Also surviving is one special niece- Dorothy Francis (Gary) Halbert of Streator, Illinois. Ben enjoyed gardening, fishing, attending races in the Indycar series and visiting local parks. He was a member of the American Legion Post #210 and St. Pauls Catholic Church. A Celebration of life for Bernard Waclaw will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 17, 2010 at St. Pauls Catholic Church, with Father Greg Nelson officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Monday before the mass. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Park following the service with full military rites conducted by American Legion Post #210. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. Many thanks go to the caregivers at the VA CLC and ICU for words of encouragement and smiles that brightened each day.