Benjamin Bistline

1935 - 2016

Benjamin Bistline

Cane Bends, Arizona

Benjamin Granger Bistline "Pappy"

Ben was born April 21, 1935 to John A Bistline & Jenny Johnson Bistline. The family was living in North Logan, Utah at this time. The spring weather in Cache Valley is cold and he was stricken with a virus and infection as a small infant. His mother was a woman with a very strong faith and belief in her God whom she prayed to for the life of her new son to be healed and make a full recovery. She never left his side as she rubbed olive oil on him. Her doctor left in the evening with instructions to make him as comfortable as possible. During the night the fever broke and the next morning the doctor was astonished to see that little Ben had survived the night. Bens mother Jenny always told him God has a special mission in his life as he was spared for a purpose.

The family lived in Providence, Utah for a time after becoming acquainted with the Jessop family in Millville. This led to their eventual relocation to Short Creek, AZ. His parents had lost their oldest son John II in Saipan in 1944. This move was in an effort to make a new start beginning in 1945.

Bens father passed away in 1949. His mother married Rich Jessop as his 5th wife in a plural marriage. Rich and his wife Ida had a daughter named Annie whom Ben fell in love with. They were married in 1955 on June 24. This union produced 16 children. Four of these children married into "instant families" creating a very large gathering at Thanksgiving and all reunions. Ben has a total of 92 Grandchildren and 40 Great Grandchildren when all of this clan are counted. Ben & Annies children are as follows; Glenn "Gunner" married to Dixie with 8 children, John "Goose" married to Gayle with 9 children, son Quentin & Tammy and 2 children, son Patrick married to Marie and their 2 children (Patrick passed away in 2005). Deslie married to Jed Barlow with 13 children, Terri and her 3 children, Diane & Richard Knudsen with 4 children, son Nephi "Grease", daughter Susie, Marcus married to Jennifer with 2 children, Jasper and Rosa with 6 children, Fred & Abby and 6 children, Kirby and his 2 children, Ida has 2 children, and Billy & Kaylee and their 2 children.

Ben always had a passion for airplanes. He earned his pilot license in 1963. He and his brother Dan bought a J3 Cub. This was a very high point in his life spending weekends giving airplane rides to all the local kids. He was a hero in their eyes. Ben's working career started as a timber cutter then he was a farmer, contractor, firewood supplier, and last he worked as a crane operator. Ben began losing his eyesight at about 63 years old when he retired. Totally blind by age 70.

He was a driving force behind the pathway to people in Short Creek being able to claim their homes they built. He played a huge part in opening up this region to outside religious choices being available.

He was always close to his own siblings throughout his life; Alyene, Johnny, Jennie Mae, Lee, Dan, Andrew "Duff", Shari and Nurylon. A sister Ann passed away as an infant. His mother Jenny passed away in 1982. Preceded also by son Patrick and daughter Luann.

Ben is survived by his wife Annie of Cane Beds, his siblings Alyene, Dan, Andrew and Shari, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 1PM (Arizona time) on Thursday, June 30th, 2016 in the Moccasin Ward Chapel with a viewing from 12 - 12:45. Burial at Cane Beds in the Black Family Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.