Person:Benjamin Priest (1)

Benjamin was Married to Deloris J. Melanson who was Killed in a auto accident in Florida. They had Sharon Kay Priest.

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   ****   CERTIFICATE  OF  DEATH    ****   Traverse  City, Government  Center, Grand  Traverse  Co., MI.

Gr. Traverse Co., Death Records; Bk.; 1998 Rec.; 285 - File No.; 1352779 Date; April 23, 1998 Name; Benjamin F. Priest Sex; M. Age; 69 Race; W. "Married" Spouse; Mary E. Robinson Born; April 24, 1928 Birthplace; Benzonia, MI. Informant; Mary E. Priest "Wife" Father; Harry E. Priest - Mother; Grace M. Long Cause; Pneumonia; Metastatic Colon Cancer to Lung Burial; Benzonia Cemetery, Benzie Co., MI. Gr. Traverse County Clerk - Researched; Sept. 9, 19

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1930; FEDERAL CENSUS - Michigan, Benzie Co., Benzonia Twp. "Apr. 5." Dwelling; 76/ 78 Enumeration Dist; 10 - 3 Supervisor Dist.; 4 Sheet 3 - B PRIEST, Harry I.; H M W 46 M - 36 MI OH PA Occ. trackman, railroad

           Grace  M.;   W    F     W    30    M - 20      MI    IN     IN
         Donald  H.;    S    M    W     10    S              MI   MI     MI
             Irwin  L.;    S    M    W      9     S             MI     MI    MI
        Dorothy  G.;    D   F     W      7     S             MI     MI    MI
        Harry  I. Jr.;    S    M    W    5 8/12              MI     MI    MI
       Roberta  M.;    D    F     W    3 5/12              MI     MI    MI
     Benjamin  F.;     S   M    W     1 10/12           MI     MI     MI

Benzonia Library Mills Community House; Benzonia MI. Benzie Banner; 1946 ---- Researched; March 13, 1999 "H.S.' July 18, - Pvt. Benjamin Priest wrote to his mother that he is with the Marine Corp's 16th Division. In South Carolina and that he expects to have a leave of absence soon. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Orla Priest. Sept. 19, - Pvt. Benjamin Priest, son of Mr. & Mrs. Orla Priest is home on a 10 - day furlough from the Marine Air Force. Entry date; April 11, 1999

Benzie Banner; 1947 ---- Researched; April, 2001 Nov. 27, "Five Pay Heavy Fines For Shining Deer" (Pg. 1) ---- Five young Beulah hunters were the participants Sunday night in a Weldon deer - shining party which found its climax Monday morning in Justice E. L. Rockwell's court, where two of the five went to Jail and the others paid heavy fines. Benjamin and Harry Priest begain jail terms of 45 days each when they failed to pay, while Robert Denune, Ward Maginity and Arthur Anderson each paid fines of $50. and court costs of $10.35. They also had their deer rifles confiscated. All pleaded guilty to the double count of shining deer with a spotlight and carring a loaded rifle in an automobile. The arrest was by Conservation Office Rex Joslin. Carring a loaded rifle in his car also cost Sam Arensons of Franktort a fine of $10. last Thursday and court costs of $6.85. Two other hunters, Ray Herron and Donald Shea of Thompsonville came into court Monday charged with shining deer. Their fines were $10. each and costs of $6.85 each. Entry date; May 5, 2001

Benzie Banner; 1949 ---- Researched; April, 2001 Jun. 30,- Homestead; Benjamin Priest of South Milwauke, and Mr. & Mrs. Gene Corwin and son Larry of Mt. Morris are visiting their parents, Mr. & Mrs. Orlie Priest.

Benzie Banner; 1950 ---- Researched; May, 2001 Feb. 2,- Homestead; Benjzmin Priest left Sunday for Mt. Morris where he will visit his brother-in-law and sister Mr. & Mrs. Gene Corwin. Jun. 8,- Elberta; Mrs. Ben Priest who has been visiting with Mrs. Ledahl the past week expects to leave for Owosso the last part of this week.

Benzie Banner ; 1951 --- Research; Nov. 10, 1998 Apr. 19, - Pvt. Ben F. Priest in Paratroopers; Pvt Benjamin F. Priest son of Mrs. Orla Priest, RR-1, Beulah was recently graduated from the basic airborne course of the Infantry School as a qualifed parachutist, according to announcement by Major General John H. Church, commandant. The course is designed to train volunteer officers and enlisted personnel from all arms and branches of the service as qualified parachutitis and gliderman. Students are required to make five jumps from an airplane including one day jump with full equiptment. The air borne course is but one of 17 at the Infantry School open to officers and enlisted men of the regular army, organized reserve and national guard. Courses range from training recruits to be parachutists to training regmental commanders and division general staff officers. Also include with Artical was a Photograph in uniform. Entry date Oct. 24, 1998 Aug. 24,- PFC Benjamin F. Priest in Training Excersie ; Camp Mackall , N. C. - PFC Benjamin F. Priest , son of Mr. & Mrs. Orla Priest of Rt. 1 Beulah, is a member of Company "B" 511 th. Airborne Regimental Combate Team now stationed at Camp Mackall , N. C. As part of the Agressor Army Forces participating in the Joint Army - Air Force training exercise " Southern Pine " PFC Priest is a machine gunner in the weapons platoon. Nov. 22,- "Beulah Paratrooper Gets Corporal Rank" --- FT. Campbell, KY. - Benjamin F. Priest, son of Mr. & Mrs. Orla Priest, RR No. 1, Beulah, was promoted to the grade of corporal with Co. "B" , 511th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 11th Division. Cpl. Priest was inducted into the army in December 1950 and immediatley volunteered for Airborne service, taking training with his present unit. Graduating from the airborne course at Ft. Benning, Ga., he then took part in the joint Army - Air Force maneuver, "Exercise Southern Pines" in North Corolina. Cpl. Priest attended Benzonia high school abd served one year with the Marien Corps. He is now home on a 14 - day furlough. Entry date; Nov. 1999

Benzie Banner; 1952 ----------------------------- Feb. 21 - "Cpl. Priest Passes Airborne School Ft. Campbell KY. Cpl. Benjamin Priest son of Mrs. Orla Priest. Feb. 21,- ( Pg. 7 ) "Cpl. Ben Priest in Exercise Snow Fall" ---- Camp Drum, N.Y. -- Cpl. Benjamin Franklin Priest, son of Mr. & Mrs. Orla Priest, Route 1, Beulah is participating in Exercise Snow Fall, the joint Army - Air Force winter maneuver now in progress at Camp Drum, N.Y. He is a member of the 11th Airborne Division's 511th Regiment, a highly - trained unit which also took part in Exercise Southern Pine last summer. The current exercise, involving more than 30,000 soldiers, is designed to teach techniques of Artic warfare and test winter equiptment. Fort Campbell, Ky., is the home station of the division. A machine gunner in company B, Priest was graduated from the parachutist school at Fort Benning, Ga., in March 1951, after entering the Army in December of 1950. He formerly attended Benzonia high school. Entry date; Nov. 11, 1998.

Benzie Banner; 1953 ------------------------- Apr. 9, - Ben Priest ao Mt. Morris paid a $5. fine and $2. in cost after pleding guilty before Justice Leonard Case to a charge of failure to stop for a stop street in Joyfield township ticket was issued by Sheriff Bryan.

Benzie Banner; 1965 ------------------------------------- Nov. 25,- Over The Years; Benzonia first graders neither absent or tardy during the month of November, Benny Priest, ( Nov.18, 1935 )

Benzie Banner; 1966 ---- Researched; Mar. 9, 2000 Jan. 27, -Page 13, Assessed $100 On Driving Count - Benjamin Priest, the defendant, was cited for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor by Trooper Snowaert of Manistee State Police post . The alleged offence occured in Weldon township on January 1. Priest was arrainged in justice court the following Monday when he entered a not guilty plea to the charge. He furnished a $100 bond and was released pending further court action. The case was dismissed Friday, on motion of John Daugherty, county prosecutor, and bond was returned to Priest. The defendant entered a guilty plea to the charge of reckless driving at his justice court arraignment Saturday, and was ordered to pay an $85 fine and $15 court costs. Trooper Snowaert was also the complaining officer on this charge. Entry date; Dec. 1, 2000

Benzie Banner; 1971 ---- Researched; Apr. 2000 Apr. 22,- Yesteryear; 19 Apr. 1951--Pvt. Benjamin F. Priest, son of Mrs. Orla Priest of Beulah, was recently graduated from the basic airbourn course of the infantry school as a qualified parachutist. Aug. 26,- Yesteryear; 23 Aug. 1951--Pfc. Benjamin F. Priest, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orla Priest of Beulah is a member of Company B, 511th. Airborne Regimental Combat Team now stationed at Camp Mackall, N.C. Pfc. Priest is a machine gunner in the weapons platoon. Entry date; May 1, 2000

Traverse City Record Eagle; 1998 ------------------ "Died April 23," Apr. 24,- "Obituary" Benjamin F. "Ben" Priest ------- Beulah --- Benjamin F. "Ben" Priest, 69, formerly of Flint, and a resident of Beulah since 1991, died Thursday afternoon at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Born on May 24, 1928, in Benzonia, he was the son of Harry E. and Grace ( Long ) Priest. He was united in marriage to the former Mary Ellen Robinson on June 3, 1972, in Bendon. Ben had served the country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. and the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. He had worked for Consumers Power for 42 years, retiring in 1991 as a gas mechanic. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bird watching, wrestling, bingo and anything to do with sporting events on television. Ben is survived by his wife Mary; one son, Robert Mercer; five daughters, Sharon (John) Rosa, Pat Knecht (Tom), Diane Deachin (Charlie), Kay (Dan) Bowers, and Debra (Gary) Deachin; six brothers; Donald (Lillian) Priest, Harry (Lois) Priest, William (Shelia) Priest, Thomas (Henrietta) Priest, Charles (Mary) Priest, and Lloyd Priest; three sisters, Dorothy (Eugene) Corwin, Roberta Denune, and Betty (Fred) Wortelborer; a sister in law, Yvonne Priest; and uncle Harvey Long. Also surviving 12 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Maud Priest and brother, Erwin Priest. Services for Ben will be held on Monday at 2 p m at the Perry Chaple, McElduff Funeral Home in Benzonia. The Rev. Thomas Maher of the Honor Congregational Church will officiate. Friends may visit with the family today Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p m at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Benzonia Township cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a contribution to the family. Entry date; Dec. 1, 2000

Record Patriot; 1998 ---- Researched; Mar. 13, 2001 Apr. 29,- "Obituary" Benjamin F. "Ben" Priest ------- Beulah --- Benjamin F. "Ben" Priest, 69, formerly of Flint, and a resident of Beulah since 1991, died Thursday April 23, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Ben was born on May 24, 1928, in Benzonia, he was the son of Harry E. and Grace ( Long ) Priest. He was united in marriage to the former Mary Ellen Robinson on June 3, 1972, in Bendon. Ben had served the country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. and the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. He had worked for Consumers Power (Energy) for 42 years, retiring in 1991 as a gas mechanic. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bird watching, wrestling, bingo and anything to do with sporting events on television. Ben is survived by his wife Mary; one son, Robert Mercer; five daughters, Sharon (John) Rosa, Pat Knecht (Tom), Diane Deachin (Charlie), Kay (Dan) Bowers, and Debra (Gary) Deachin; six brothers; Donald (Lillian) Priest, Harry (Lois) Priest, William (Shelia) Priest, Thomas (Henrietta) Priest, Charles (Mary) Priest, and Lloyd Priest; three sisters, Dorothy (Eugene) Corwin, Roberta Denune, and Betty (Fred) Wortelborer; a sister - in - law, Yvonne Priest; and uncle Harvey Long. Also surviving 12 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Maud Priest and brother, Erwin Priest. Services for Ben were held on Monday April 27, from the Perry Chaple, McElduff Funeral Home in Benzonia. The Rev. Thomas Maher of the Honor Congregational Church will officiate. Friends may visit with the family today Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p m at the funeral home. Burial took place in the Benzonia Township cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a contribution to the family. Arrangements were handled by the Perry Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes. Entry date; Mar. 14, 2001