DeKINDER,
BEN
Memorial
service for Ben Elmer DeKinder, age 69, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, was held at 2
p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2005, in the First Presbyterian Church, in
Chickasha.
Rev. Barbara Hunt, pastor of the church, officiated.
Ben
Elmer DeKinder was born the son of William Edward DeKinder and Bernetta Bernice
Petree DeKinder on December 8, 1935, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He died on February
24, 2005, in Chickasha of liver cancer.
He
married JoAnn Clement on April 13, 1960, in Chickasha. Ben was a lifetime
resident of Chickasha. He joined the United States Naval Reserve in 1954, and
retired after thirty years and nine months as a Master Chief Radioman.
In
1966, Ben established a FM radio station, KNDR. Seven years later, he sold the
radio station and began working for Combined Area Telephone Directory in
Oklahoma City. After several years, the business folded and Ben went back to
college to obtain his degree. In the Spring of 1991, he earned a Bachelor of
Science and Business Administration from the University of Science and Arts of
Oklahoma.
During
this time, he delivered the Daily Oklahoman newspaper seven mornings a week,
continuing until June of 2002. After graduation, he went to work at USAO in
payroll and accounts receivables. He retired last year after thirteen years.
Ben
was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was very involved in
the community serving a two year term on the Chickasha City Council, volunteer
for Chickasha Auxiliary Police, member of the Chickasha Optimist Club and past
Civil Defense Director.
He
was preceded in death by his father, and one son, Ben Clement DeKinder. Survivors
include wife, JoAnn DeKinder of Chickasha; daughter, Mary Hampton of Chickasha;
daughter and son-in-law, JoLyn and Rex Clifton of Chickasha; mother, Bernetta
DeKinder of Chickasha; sister and brother-in-law, Billie Marie and Bob Hayes of
Chickasha; granddaughter, Keri Anne DeKinder of Chickasha; grandson and wife,
Tim & Amanda DeKinder of Chickasha; granddaughter, Erica Ann Heath of
Chickasha; granddaughter, Sarah Poynor of Chickasha; and many loving family
members.