Benjamin Allen McKune

1980 - 2014

1980 ~ 2014
Benjamin Allen McKune, loving husband, father, son, brother and friend passed away suddenly March 11, 2014 of undiagnosed coronary artery disease in State College, Pennsylvania. Benjamin was born in 1980 in Martinez, California to Ron and Mary Ellen McKune. He was 33 at the time of his passing. The youngest of six children, Ben was a happy, outgoing boy, full of curiosity and very focused on subjects that interested him. Throughout his school years he made many friends and was well-liked. He was also tender-hearted. When he said "Awww," it went straight to our hearts. He was talented at cartooning, and amused his family and friends with his comic strip characters. He attended school in Pittsburg, CA, received both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Brigham Young University and was finishing his doctoral dissertation at Penn State University at the time of his death. He was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Mission. He married Camillia Ball in the Mount Timpanogos Temple on December 27, 2003. They had ten short but wonderful years together. Ben enjoyed photography and submitted countless photos of gemstones to Wikipedia. He also photographed cemetery headstones to add to family history databases. He loved going to historic sites. Over the years he found many ways to be of service to others including being a Cub Scout leader, primary teacher, ward historian, elders quorum teacher, assistant clerk, membership clerk, and branch secretary. He was interested in politics and loved learning trivia. His doctoral dissertation focusing on religious demographics paralleled his interest in different religious cultures. He was very concerned about the human condition and was particularly interested in microloans for developing countries. Whatever he did, he wanted to contribute and be helpful to others. He loved spending time with his wife and daughter. Benjamin was a man of integrity and faith. He loved his family and was playing with Elizabeth, his sweet five year old daughter moments before his unexpected death.
He is survived by his wife, Camillia Ball McKune and daughter, Elizabeth McKune. He is also survived by his parents, Ron McKune and Mary Ellen McKune of Pittsburg, CA, and his siblings, Vivian McBride (Bruce, Alameda, CA), John McKune (Molly, Fremont, CA), Leslie Sorensen (Jacob, Hillsboro, OR), and Tracy Sheppard (Gary, Leesburg, VA). Being "Uncle Ben" to his nieces and nephews put a smile on his face. Ben was preceded in death by his brother Arthur McKune.
Services will be held Thursday, March 20th at 11:30 a.m. in the Lindon 14th Ward building at 320 West 500 North, Lindon, UT, where a viewing will be at the same location from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Interment in Lindon City Cemetery. Benjamin will be greatly missed! Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.