Benjamin Bolon

Benjamin Bolon, 79, of Washington, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, after battling health issues. He was born on March 7, 1946, in Jerusalem, Ohio, the son of Paul W. and Irene Bolon. He graduated from Beallsville High School in 1964 and went on to be a driver and trainer at The Meadows Racetrack. As a young boy, he quickly picked up his father's interest in Standardbred horses. He began racing horses at the Ohio fairs with his father, and later when his father began racing horses at The Meadows, followed him there. At The Meadows, Bolon established himself as a talented driver, picking up catch-drives to win three straight Meadows driving titles in the 1970s, while also operating his own public stable. He trained Open-class horses as well as claimers and young horses. Although a soft-spoken man, Bolon was a friendly face on The Meadows' backstretch and participated in activities ranging from softball games to golf tournaments to driving competitions. At one time, announcers at The Meadows called him "Rollin' Ben Bolon." Bolon retired from driving in 2009. His last win came with Its Cool, a horse owned by his nephews, Spencer Kahrig and Kyle Bolon. Outside of his love for horses, Bolon also enjoyed fishing and golfing. In 1990, Bolon married his wife, Darla, whom he met at The Meadows. His wife and their daughter, Caitlyn, survive, along with a grandson, Wesley; a brother, Rodney (Sally) Bolon; two sisters, Kitty (Kenneth) Kahrig and Becky McGee; sister-in-law, Nancy Morgan; brother-in-law, Terry Morgan; nephews Greg (Kara) Kahrig, Spencer (Dana) Kahrig and Kyle (Sarah) Bolon; and other nephews and nieces. Deceased are a daughter, Amy Starr; a sister, Jen Kimble; brothers-in-law, Perry Morgan and Dana Morgan; and sister-in-law, Suzi Morgan. Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, the hour of services, in the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. Memorial donations may be made to The Meadows Chaplaincy or New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. Online condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner / supervisor, Andrew C. Piatt, director.