BISH, Benjamin Ray - b. June 16, 1978 - d. February 20, 2014

[patyrn]

Benjamin Ray Bish, age 35, a resident of Americus, Kansas and formerly of Longton, Kansas, died Thursday, February 20, 2014.  He was the miracle baby and most precious gift from God, born on June 16, 1978 in Independence, Kansas to Darrel Ray and Irma Joy (Hull) Bish.

Ben was a graduate of Elk Valley High School in Longton, Kansas and a graduate of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.  On July 9, 2005, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Ann Miller in Howard, Kansas.

Ben loved life, music, sports, animals, and insects of all kinds.  He was our Gentle Ben who had a deep internal strength that we all came to rely on and will be sorely missed as we struggle to find a way to go on in his absence.  Those happy memories of endless summer days, long drives through the countryside, playing basketball with his friends, singing, and living out loud will be the things we hold on to.

He loved his family more than anything in the world:  his wife, Kathleen and their two children, Kelton David, age 6, and Kaylyn Joy, age 4.  They made a marvelous and unstoppable foursome and shared countless memories, lots of singing, and joyous laughter together.  Benjamin is also survived by his much-loved parents, Darrel and Irma Bish; his devoted brother, David Ray Burns; and his adoring sisters, Gail Burns Aho, April Lynn Burns, and Deanna Burns Truitt.

Ben has a large extended family and most everyone he met became a close friend.  The world and all God's creatures lost a truly beautiful person, but God needed someone to belt out a tune and make the angels laugh, and so chose our dear Ben.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Elk Valley High School Gymnasium in Longton, Kansas with Pastor Joe Voss officiating.  Friends may stop and sign the register on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas.  Interment will be at Longton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kelton and Kaylyn Bish Educational Fund and may be left with the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.    Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
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According to the Emporia Gazette 02/21/2014, Benjamin Bish was killed in a one-vehicle accident in rural Americus, Kansas.