Ralph Leroy Benedict

Ralph Leroy Benedict, 91, of Battle Creek, died February 27, 2021 at 2:45 AM in Kalamazoo Bronson Methodist Hospital after a traumatic fall at home on Feb. 26.

He was born September 5, 1929 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Howard E. and Zelma E. (Palmiter) Benedict. He attended elementary school in Grand Rapids, then spent his high school years at Cedar Lake Academy in Cedar Lake, MI. He graduated from there in 1948. He met Beverly E. Benjamin while they were in school at the academy. They were married September 3, 1950. To this union three children were born: Denise, Dennis, and Laurie.

Ralph learned the printing trade when his father-in-law, Ernest E. Benjamin, invited him to work for him at the Benjamin Press on Van Buren St. After working there for 10 years, Ralph & Bev had the opportunity to start their own printing business, which they named B & R Letter Shop, and operated it for 30 years.

Ralph was active in various capacities at his church, the Battle Creek Tabernacle of Seventh Day Adventists. He also taught printing at Battle Creek Academy for two years and served many years on the school board. He belonged to the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club for 60 years. He also enjoyed serving in a variety of other community organizations. One of his enjoyments was to take people on tours of the Adventist historical sites in Battle Creek, then later the Historic Adventist Village. He also helped with building renovations and scheduling tour groups in the "Village" for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Kenneth and Russell, his four sisters Leota, Ardis, Carole, and Agnes. He is survived by his wife Beverly, daughters Denise (James) Carter of Bellevue, MI, and Laurie (Stephen) Erickson of Papua New Guinea, son Dennis (Eddie) Benedict of Loudon, TN, a brother, Roy Benedict of Muskegon, MI, four grandsons, two granddaughters, two great-granddaughters, four great-grandsons, four step-granddaughters, four step great-granddaughters and two step great-grandsons.

A memorial service will be held at the Battle Creek Tabernacle of Seventh-day Adventists, 264 W. Michigan Ave., at 4 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2021.

Memorial gifts can be given to the Battle Creek Academy Worthy Student Fund, Historic Adventist Village, or Battle Creek Kiwanis Club Wildlife Sanctuary.

Personal memories of Ralph or messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.