Ben A. Walston

KIMBALL, Wis. - Ben A. Walston, 73, lost his battle with throat and lung cancer April 29, 2016, at his home in Kimball.

He was born Sept. 7, 1942, in Faro, N.C., son of the late Adolph and Effie Walston of North Carolina.

In 1962, he married Mary Frances Barnes in North Carolina. They soon moved to Rockford, Ill., with an infant daughter and two years later had a son. Mary Frances preceded him in death. In 1973, he married Jeanne K. Huotari in Rockford and in 1976, they moved north to Hurley with his children and her two children.

They purchased Kalm's Dairy Store in Ironwood and became entrenched in the life of the Gogebic Range. They later had another son, who inherited his love of musical instruments. Ben was very active in the ATV Club in Iron County and loved riding the trails with his friends. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, when he took time from running Ben's Place. He also enjoyed hanging out with his family, who were scattered all over the country.

Ben is survived by his wife, Jeanne; three sons, Al Walston of Memphis, Tenn., Stephen (Jenny) Walston of Marengo, and Jeremy (Anney) Walston of Gile; two daughters, Susan (Kendall) Lloyd of Charlotte, N.C., and Billie Jean John of Mesa, Ariz .; three granddaughters, Jacqueline and Meredith Lloyd, and Cassie Livingston; two grandsons, Michael and Christopher John; three great-grandchildren, Garrett Bodenhofer, Bryce Livingstone and Mia John-Montes; and the large extended family that he inherited through marriage. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and his two furry companions, Gomez and Keisha.

Ben is also survived by his sister, Hazel (William) Wainwright of Snow Hill, N.C .; brothers, Raymond (Ester) of Glen Burnie, Md., Donald (Carol), Glen Burnie, Phillip of Snow Hill, Adolph Jr. (Linda), Smithfield, N.C., Luther (Barb), Shuffletown, N.C .; brothers- and sisters-in-laws, Cheryl (Joe) Bera, Dennis Huotari, Gail (Gene) Clemens, Annette Clemens, Leonard Joe (Karen) Huotari, Susan (Dennis) Beals, Kim (Darrell) Saari, David (Chris) Huotari, Debbie (Dan) Pertile and Darla (Larry) Bryce; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Douglas (Patricia), Wake Forest, N.C., Billy, Princeton, N.C .; sister, Brenda Cardin, Stanton, N.C .; two infant sisters, Jenny Gray Walston and Betty Lou Walston; and his father- and mother-in-law, Swanee and Alice Huotari.

Cremation has taken place per Ben's request with Range Funeral Service and Crematory of Ironwood who are helping the family with arrangements.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Hurley Senior Center. An uncle, Don LaLonde, will officiate at 1:30 p.m.