Benjamin Powell Jr.

Benjamin Charles Powell Jr. was born to Benjamin C. Powell Sr., and Margaret R. Powell (Maddock) on September 23rd, 1946 in Petoskey, Michigan.  He passed away at his long-time home in Bellaire on November 20th, 2023 at the age of seventy-seven years.

Ben was a lifelong resident of Bellaire.  He graduated from Bellaire Public Schools in 1965, and had attended Suomi College in Hancock, Michigan (1965-67) attaining an Associates of Art in Secondary Education.  He broadened his education at Central Michigan University (1967-69) earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics.  Ben operated Ben’s Bottled Gas Service which served Bellaire and surrounding communities before moving on to other opportunities in the Natural Gas service industry.

He was an early adopter of computer technology; a trait which continued throughout his life. When many were first learning of computer capabilities, he was working at programming computers as he was fluent in MS BASIC and C languages as well as having a working knowledge of other language formats.  Many of his friends and relations were in awe of his prodigious memory and commitment to understanding worldwide events.  And there is the famous true story of his construction of a Particle Accelerator for the Science Fair while a high school sophomore in 1962.

Ben was a lifelong member of the Bellaire Masonic Lodge #398 and the Order of Eastern Stars, Waldo Chapter #180. He served in various roles over the years and was the presiding officer of the Lodge in multiple years. Also, Ben served as a volunteer with the Bellaire Fire Department.

He is survived by his sister Marian (Powell) Seidenstucker who resides in Altoona, Florida. 

Donations in his memory to the Bellaire Masonic Lodge, 4905 Stover Rd, Bellaire, MI or the Bellaire District Fire Department, 735 E. Broad St., Bellaire, MI are encouraged.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com