Bennie Franklin Patchen Jr.

Bennie Franklin Patchen Jr. Bennie Franklin Patchen Jr., age 84 a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2015 at Indian Hills Retirement Village Chillicothe, Missouri. Bennie was born the son of Benjamin Franklin and Margaret Francis (O'Dell) Patchen on July 25, 1930 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. He was a 1948 graduate of Excelsior Springs High School. Bennie served in the United States Navy from 1948 until 1950. He was united in marriage to Rose Lee Hamner on August 5, 1950 at the United Methodist Church parsonage in Platte City, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 19, 2010. Bennie began working for the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1958 and retired in 1986 as a lutenient stationed in St. Joseph, Missouri. Upon returning to Chillicothe; Ben and Rosie spent many years traveling with friends and family all over the United States. After his retirement Bennie and Rosie bought a cabin in Estes Park, Colorado, where they vacationed with their family and friends for many years. While in Colorado, Bennie worked as a Park Ranger for the Rocky Mountain National Park. Much time was spent devoting his free time to instilling and enriching his passion for life to his grandchildren. Bennie often reflected on the wonderful people and memorable experiences of serving his twenty-eight years for the Northwestern Missouri public. He was a member of the Clay Lodge #207, AF & AM Masonic Lodge, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Chillicothe Camper Club, and the Chillicothe Shrine Club. Survivors include one son, Bennie Patchen III and wife Brenda of Chillicothe, Missouri; one daughter, Virginia "Jenny" Jo Churchill and husband David of Chillicothe, Missouri; three grandchildren, Neelie Churchill of Jefferson City, Missouri, Donny Churchill and wife Wendi of Faucet, Missouri, and Duke Churchill of Chillicothe, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Margaret Jane Ann Churchill of Chillicothe, Missouri and Vincent Mosby Churchill of Chillicothe; three step-grandchildren, Luke Branson, Seth Branson, and Charlotte McGrath of Faucet, Missouri; two step-grandchildren, Zach Link and wife Rebecca and Trevor Link of Chillicothe, Missouri; two step-great-grandchildren, Kylee and Clayton Link of Chillicothe, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Francis Watson and Bennie Patchen Sr.; wife Rose Lee Patchen one daughter, Helen Margaret Patchen. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church Chillicothe, Missouri. A family visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri. Friends may call the Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Private family burial will be held at a later date in the Masonic Cemetery Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Forest O Triplett Animal Shelter and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home P.O. Box 47 Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online Condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri