Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Reeves 1886-1968

REEVES, ANDERSON, DANIELSON, GAGE, KEATOR

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 22:33:12

Services Held Saturday for Ben Reeves, 81

Ben F. Reeves, 81, former farmer, auctioneer, wrestler and ardent sportsman of Graettinger, died Wednesday afternoon about 4 p.m. at Holy Family hospital in Estherville after having been ill for about nine months.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 10 a.m. at First Methodist church in Estherville with the Rev. C. R. Buckwalter officiating. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery, at Estherville. Pallbearers were Richard Danielson, Gary Duncan, Darrell Reeves, Donald Reeves, Richard Reeves and Robert Reeves.

In his earlier years Mr. Reeves was prominent in athletic circles as he was known as a top wrestler, baseball player and foot racer. He faced seven world champion wrestlers and was a member of a nationally know travelling baseball team. At one time he was signed up with a Philadelphia major league team. He was a catcher and secondbaseman for semi-pro teams of this area for many years.

Benjamin Franklin Reeves was born Aug. 27, 1886, at Guthrie Center, the son of Van and Mary Reeves. He attended the schools in that county and was married Nov. 8, 1910 to Gertrude Anderson at Guthrie Center.

In 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Reeves moved to Palo Alto County, where they farmed until their retirement in1942, when they moved to Estherville.

During the time he was farming he also auctioneered, a trade he continued for several years after retiring from the farm.

After his retirement he became a gun dealer and collected and sold guns of all ages and kinds.

Mr. Reeves was a member of the First Methodist Church.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Garland (Jeanette) Gage of Blairstown, and Mrs. Harold (Geraldine) Danielson of Estherville; three sons, John of Estherville, Kermit of Emmetsburg, and Gilbert of Graettinger; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ella Keator of Huntington Park, Calif., and one brother, Vangie Reeves of Huntington Park, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his wife; three sons, one grandchild; and one great-grandchild. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, May 9, 1968)