Benjamin Frederick Schumm

1932 - 2025

Benjamin Frederick Schumm

January 10, 1932 - September 13, 2025

Benjamin Frederick Schumm, 93, of Orion, Ill., passed away peacefully at his home on September 13, surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. in Moline, Ill. A private graveside service for the family will be held separately at Western Township Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to QC Paws or OSF Children's Hospital.

He is survived by his daughters, Karen (John) Brown of Santa Fe, N.M., Linda Schumm of Mackinaw, Ill., and Cindy Gladkin (Randy Rutledge) of Coal Valley, Ill.; and his special friend and companion, Vicki Sides. He is also survived by two brothers, three sisters, six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and his dogs, Red and Blue. Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and his brother, David.

Ben was born January 10, 1932, in Worthington, Minn., to Frederick and Mabel Schumm, and grew up in rural Minnesota.

He served in the Army Motor Pool at Panmunjom during the Korean War, then worked for Wayne Sievers, Orion, for more than a decade.

Ben founded Ben Schumm Trucking, Grading and Excavating in Orion, and continued full time operations well into his 80s. Among the construction sites he prepared are Interstate 74 and SouthPark Mall.

Ben's wit and humor were legendary - he even joked about the "terrible day" his doctor switched him from Budweiser to Bud Light - and he was perhaps best known for the grand handlebar mustache he wore for decades. He loved his Boston Terriers - often named "Budweiser." Outside of work, he loved gardening, collecting old tractors and machinery, and tinkering on new projects.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.