Benjamin Richard "Ben" Schlubatis

Benjamin Richard "Ben" Schlubatis of Grand Rapids, MI and formerly of Battle Creek, MI

Ben, age 44, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack, Sunday morning, April 2, 2017 at his residence.

Ben, the son of Joseph R. Schlubatis and Carla L. (Garrison) Schlubatis, was born in Battle Creek on May 15, 1972. He was a 1990 graduate of Gull Lake High School and had recently been employed by a tree service company. Ben was an Out-of-Doors type of guy who also liked to go mushrooming and toil in the garden. He was a fairly accomplished painter and guitarist.

Ben is survived by his daughter, Shannon R. Schlubatis of Portage, MI; his dad and step-mom, Joe and Jean Schlubatis of Battle Creek; his mom and step-dad, Carla and Thomas O'Neil of Paw Paw, MI; three brothers, William H. Schlubatis of Las Vegas, NV, David M. (Michelle) Shulkin of Bloomfield, MI and Douglas L. Shulkin of Nashville, TN; twin nieces, Ashley and Brooke Shulkin and a nephew, Nicholas Schlubatis.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Ben's life will be held on Friday, April 7th at 1:30 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek with Rev. Douglas R. Nettleton, Pastor of the Pennfield Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens, Battle Creek. Ben's family will greet friends on Thursday, April 6th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ben's honor may be directed to Shannon's Educational Fund, c/o Advia Credit Union, 901 E. Milham Avenue, Portage, MI 49024, with the check made-out to Shannon R. Schlubatis and account number in the memo line: 1110070432429.