Benjamin Cecil Evel, age 88, died on October 24, 2023, in the Ness County Hospital, Ness City.  He was born on November 6, 1934, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Casper and Alberta (Miller) Evel.

Ben's family moved to Ohio when Ben and his sister were young, so the family could help care of Ben's paternal grandpa, who had moved to Ohio due to health reasons.  The family frequently visited their relatives in Kansas over the years and retained part of the family homestead in Utica.  Ben loved the beauty of the wide-open prairie and the ample acreage of the farms.  Ben always expressed a deep sense of connection and family legacy with Kansas.  He and his siter were proud to be the recipients of a Century Farm recognition during an Old Settler's Reunion celebration.

After graduating from Savannah High School, Savannah, Ohio, Ben joined the United States Army.  When he returned from the Korean War, he farmed alongside his father on the family farm as well as farming his own acreage in Ashland, Ohio.  Ben married Luella Huff on October 13, 1962, in Ashland.  After his parents' passing, Ben and Lue pursued Ben's lifelong ambition to return to Kansas and spend the remainder of his life in the area he had loved since childhood.

Ben was known for his innate ability to repair any kind of machinery.  Throughout his lifetime, he established and sold several small businesses and worked for a time as long-haul truck driver all while maintaining two farms.

He and Luella loved searching for antiques and restoring antique vehicles.  Luella was an avid and talented crafter and usually convinced Ben to put his mechanical skills to work to help her with ambitious craft projects.  They loved taking long rides and made numerous road trips cross country to visit family and friends.

Ben had a wry and irreverent sense of humor and was a lifelong prankster.  Not a day when by that he didn't have a joke or two to share, particularly if it involved poking fun at politicians. Ben loved farming, watching Westerns and spending time with friends. Ben was the kind of character one could never forget.

From the time he was old enough to walk, Ben had a pet dog or two at his side as a constant companion.  Throughout the years, he and Luella shared their home with a series of beloved Boston Terriers.

He was a lifelong member of the NRA, the American Legion, and FOE.

Ben is survived by a niece, Pegge (Jones) McGuire of Oregon; great nephews, Harris Geddes III of Oregon and George Geddes of California; great grandnephews/niece, Ezra, Atlas, Viggo, and Giada Geddes and great aunt, Mary Anne (Miller) Rogers of California.  Ben and Lue never had children of their own but had numerous friend's children who considered Ben and Lue like parents. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Luella, and his sister, Alice Anton.

No services are planned. Memories can be shared by writing in the guest book.