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Benjamin Calvert Obituary
Benjamin F. "Ben" Calvert, Jr., 67, a longtime Naperville, Ill., resident and formerly of Edwardsville and Bolingbrook, Ill., died Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 at Joliet Area Community Hospice in Joliet, Ill. He was born Sept. 9, 1944 in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Ben grew up in Edwardsville and was a 1962 graduate of Edwardsville High School. He attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb with a degree in mathematics. Ben spent the majority of his career in sales of nuclear and industrial valves and was a former president of the Instrument Society of America. He was also a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville.
Ben was an avid gardener and former president and charter member of the Naperville Community Gardeners and also was a talented artist and ceramist.
Ben is survived by his wife, Patricia A. (Matthews) Calvert, whom he married Feb. 15, 1992, two sons, Benjamin F. Calvert III of Villa Park, Ill., and Christopher J. (Shelby) Calvert, M.D. of Homer Glen, Ill.; a step-son, George F. Masek of Orlando, Fla.; three grandchildren, Sarah, 9, James, 7, and Jordon, 6; three sisters, Kay Zika of Meredosia, Ill., Rae (Joe) Hill of Alton, Ill. and Dottie Shaffer of St. Charles, Mo.; brothers-in-law, Fred Matthews, Tom (Kathy) Matthews, Mike (Sue) Matthews and Ed (Anna) Van Dyck; sisters-in-law, Susan Irving, Lois (Jim) Taber and Adele Abruscato; mother-in-law, Betty Evans; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy L. (Van Dyck) Calvert in 1988; his parents, Benjamin F. Calvert Sr. and Dorothy Shaffer; and step-father, Richard Shaffer.
A memorial visitation was held Friday, Nov. 4 at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Memorial Services were held Saturday, Nov. 5 at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Rd. in Naperville. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: American Cancer Society or Joliet Area Community Hospice.
For information, call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Calvert
Barbara Sidorowicz
May 3, 2012
Oh my goodness. I just did a search on your father as I was thinking about your family and found Ben had passed. Dear Benji and Chris, your parents were my best friends when I lived in Bolingbrook. I'm so sad for you but I know you have plenty of good memories. With love, Babs, Frank, Melanie and Angel
Dan Shull
March 16, 2012
My parents moved to Raleigh, North Carolina when I started college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1985, because of work. A memory I have always held close to my heart (even more so now) is Ben ‘filling in' for Dad's day my freshman year, so coming down for the football game that weekend. I think the chance to see a game in person at Memorial Stadium after having been away for a while was as special if not more so for him. Ben you will be missed but never forgotten.
Larry Madison
November 15, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of Ben's passing. I attended high school with Ben, Rae, and Kay in Edwardsville. We delivered newspapers in the same rural area and often teamed up up speed up the deliveries. Ben was truly one of the good guys. I will miss him.
November 9, 2011
I want to let you know how sorry we were to read about your dad. Ben and your mom we knew when all of you went to St John Church. I hope that the beautiful memories of your parents, you will carry with love and comfort and peace for ever. Don and Martha Miller, Naperville, Il.
Margaret Howard Way
November 8, 2011
We knew Ben as a young boy and teen. He was our neighbor in Edwardsville. We remember a young man who delivered our newspaper, mowed our yard and was a terrific person. We remember our neighborhood softball games at McClleans.It's been years since we saw him but we remember a hard working, very kind young man. Our sympathy to the family. Your husband,dad,grandfather,brother was a special person. Ernie Howard family
Ted & Betty Thygesen
November 5, 2011
Ben was truly one of a kind. His love of life and sense of humor will always be remembered. We express our deepest sympathies to Pat and the boys for Ben's loss, and you are in our prayers always.
Mark Mayer
November 4, 2011
I keep looking over at the garage and there are no longer any interesting projects underway. I'm going to miss the never ending pottery activities. Never a dull moment at the Calvert Art Studios and Beer Garden. We'll miss you Ben.
November 3, 2011
I am so grateful that Ben entered my life through the Peoples Resource Center. His talent in ceramics was unmatched. He shared his knowledge freely and made everyone feel comfortable with clay. Hugs and Prayers to the Calvert Family, Sorry about your loss.
Toni Fogarty Glendale Hts
Kim Mardjetko
November 3, 2011
Dr. amd Mrs. Calvert and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the wonderful memories of your dad comfort you during this difficult time. Joe and Kim Mardjetko and Family
Laurel LaLonde
November 2, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. Ben will be greatly missed at Naperville Community Gardeners.
Ben with his ceramic display at the Naperville Community Gardeners' 2010 Flower & Garden Show
Laurel LaLonde
November 2, 2011
Isabel Cowley
November 2, 2011
I am sorry for your loss I will always remember Ben as a friendly and helpful person. He volunteered at Clay People and Clay Space and he was such a talented artist, I admired his work a great deal. And whenever one of us less talented asked him for suggestions he was more than happy to share his knowledge.
Debi Tully
November 2, 2011
Dr Calvert;
So sorry for your loss. It sounds as though he was a wonderful man and I am sure that you will miss him. My girls and I will keep your family in our prayers.
Ben tending the Plant-A-Row Garden Plots
Ron Ory
November 2, 2011
Ben was one of my gardening heroes! I had the pleasure of learning a lot from him in the Men's Garden Club (later called the Naperville Community Gardeners). Our thoughts of him will always be there every time we put shovel to the soil or harvest a ripe tomato, Cardinal red, of course!
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