Benedict "Ben" Bur

Benedict “Ben” A. Bur of Riggsville, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at home, surrounded by family.

A lifelong resident of the area, Ben was born September 2, 1917 in Riggsville, the ninth of fifteen children of Joseph and Josephine (Blank) Bur.  Ben graduated from the Tallman School (Inverness #1) in Riggsville.  On June 17, 1950 in Cheboygan, he married Margaret (King) Bur.  They were married 64 years when Margaret passed away August 19, 2014.

Ben always told his family he wanted to live to be 100.  He enjoyed a large 100th birthday party in September with relatives coming from many States and Canada.

Ben farmed the family farm, including dairy, potatoes, beef, feed crops, maple syrup, and Christmas trees.  His favorite being Christmas trees, a business he started with his wife, two brothers, and a sister-in-law; now owned by his son.  He also assisted his son with his business, Bur's Sweet Corn.   He trimmed Christmas trees and made maple syrup until he was 91 and sold trees until he was 97.  Many customers returned each year specifically to see Ben.  Ben also worked for and retired from the United States Postal Service.

Ben was stationed in the South Pacific with the United Sates Army during WWII, where he experienced fierce battles where two thirds of the men were killed or wounded.  He never thought he would survive the war. 

Ben was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.  He was a founding and charter member of the Straits Area Federal Credit Union.  He was proud of his military service and his over 70-year membership with Cheboygan's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and served as commander from 1948-1949. 

Ben enjoyed picking huckleberries, hunting, fishing, and playing cards with friends, family, and especially his wife, Margaret.  Ben caught the two biggest fish of his life when he was in his 80's, and shot a 4-point buck two years ago with one shot.  Family was important to Ben; he enjoyed family gatherings.  Ben, known as the "Whistling Cowboy," will be remembered by many for his cheerful whistling.

Ben's family would like to thank his nieces and nephews for taking the time to play cards with him, and played cards until three weeks ago.  The family would also like to thank his caregivers.  He was able to walk until a week ago.

Ben  is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Lancour of Cheboygan and Eileen (husband, Scott Sandel) Bur of Riggsville; son, Joe (Sue) Bur, of Riggsville; six grandchildren, Kimberly (fiancée, Aaron Harmon) Lancour, Kevin (wife Jerry Allen)  Lancour, Danielle (Adamm) Thomas, Cory (Danielle) Bur, Jaimie (friend TJ) Bur, and Kaitlin Lancour; seven great-grandchildren, Audrey, Jakob, Nathan, Conner, McKenzie, Dylan, and Claire; a brother, Don, from Wisconsin; a sister, Gertrude Miller, of Mackinaw City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; daughter, Kristine Bur; three sisters, Genevieve Weiss, Dorothy Clark, and Loretta Bur; nine brothers:  Leonard, Raymond, Lawrence, Frank, George, Edmund, Ernest, Rev. Stanislaus, and Tom Bur.

Visitation will be Monday, April 2, 2018 from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00 pm at the Nordman- Christian Funeral Home, with a rosary beginning at 7:00 pm.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday, April, 3, 2018 from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am., also at the funeral home, with Rev. Paul Megge officiating.   A graveside committal service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:00am, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cheboygan. 

Memorials may be made to the Cheboygan VFW, Relief Fund. 

Online condolences may be made to www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.

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