Benjamin "Ben" Behlen

COLUMBUS -- Benjamin "Ben" Behlen, of Columbus, died Saturday, August 31, 2013, as a result of an auto accident.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Federated Church, in Columbus, with Rev. Dr. Annika Lister Stroope officiating. Interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:30-7 p.m. at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials are to be directed to Columbus Catholic Charities, 3020 18th St., Suite 17, Columbus.

Benjamin "Ben" Behlen was born October 21, 1979, in Columbus, to Rodney and Georgia (Grosz) Behlen. He graduated from Columbus High School and became a certified welder through Central Community College. Ben's love for welding secured him a job at Behlen Manufacturing and Columbus Hydraulics until he was unable to continue to work due to health issues.

Ben loved music and as a hobby installed stereo equipment for both home and commercial music systems. He was a "fiddler" and could fix anything – from wiring a house to fixing a car. Ben had a high interest in high performance cars. Ben was married to Nicole McPhillips for seven years, being married on May 28, 2005.

Ben is survived by his parents, Rodney and Georgia Behlen, of Columbus; and brother, Andrew Behlen, of Columbus.

Ben was preceded in death by his brother, Jacob Behlen; and grandparents, Gib and Irene Behlen and Hugh and Dorothy Grosz.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com