Ben Petru

1934 - 2024

Ben (Benjamin) Petru was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on August 14, 1934 and passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

He was raised in the Rio Grande Valley near Raymondville, Texas, where he went to school and graduated. He attended St. Anthony's Seminary in San Antonio for a short time before returning to the Valley, where he met his wife, Lois (Eloisa) Gonzales. Shortly after their marriage on July 31, 1958 they moved to the big city of Houston to find new opportunities. There they settled and Ben became a salesman. He had his own business, B-L drafting, for 25 years, selling engineering and drafting equipment to major Oil and Gas and Engineering firms in the Houston area. He ended his career at MW Industries where he retired. He worked for Peter Mess, a fellow Knight, who became his best and closest friend until the day he died.

Ben and Lois celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 31, 2023. Ben was an extremely faithful man and contributed greatly to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe and was in the Knights of Columbus. Over the years he served others in many ways such as assisting refugees in their transition to the U.S. by helping them find homes, cars, clothing, and work.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; sons, Perry and Kelly; daughters-in-law, Connie and Sheila; daughter, Lana; grandsons, Keith, Shane and Luke; great-grandson, Liam; brothers, Eddie and Larry; and sister, Dorothy; as well as the many members of the Petru clan which are too many to name.

Ben Petru made an impact on all of those around him and he will be greatly missed. May God rest his soul and may he remain at peace for eternity.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, Texas. Reception immediately following Mass in the Church Parish Hall.