Benjamin Eugene Stefani

Benjamin Eugene Stefani, 82, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, September 22, 2010 in Hennis Care Centre at Dover following a period of declining health.A son of the late Theresa (Fontana) Lynn, Benjamin was born October 21, 1927 at Flushing, Ohio.Ben graduated from Holloway High School and honorably served his country in the United States Army during World War II while stationed in Japan.He was retired from I.F. Manufacturing and then became the owner and operator of Stefani Realty.Ben was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia as well as a life member of the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Post #1445. He loved sports but especially had a passion for golf.He is survived by his children, Kathy (James) Walton of Dover, Gene (Kathy) Stefani of New Philadelphia and Greg (Karen) Stefani of Rocky River, Ohio; his grandchildren, Shane Walton of New York, New York, Lindsay Roberts of Dover, Ryan Stefani of Mount Prospect, Illinois, Kristi (Don) Clum of Dennison and Garrett and Leah Stefani both of Rocky River, Ohio and a sister, Jean Walker of New Philadelphia.The family will receive guests on Friday, September 24, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Christian Wake service being held at 7:45 p.m. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow in Dover Burial Park at Dover where the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Post #1445 will render military honors. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Hospitality Room at the Geib Funeral Center at Dover.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in Ben’s memory to Susan G. Koman for the Cure, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44622.