Benjamin Jay Schroff

St. George

Ben was born to Lonnie Childers and Lee Schroff in St. George, Utah on November 17, 1976. All of Ben's demons and desperation in Earth-life led to acts nearly unbelievable to those who love and cherish him. On September 11, 2014, Ben's life ended way too soon.

Generosity and love are the two words all who even met him once called him. To have used his Santa beard and wig to perform such a last horrendous act is steeped in irony, and yet a humorless outcome as Ben loved dressing-up in his Santa suit for kids in the area. He had that spirit of giving all year long. His beloved sons, family and friends were yearlong recipients of Ben's loving and giving. He was the greatest son, dad, uncle and brother. He was always ready to help, listen, go to the Lake, mountains, fishing, camping or just hang out and barbecue.

Ben had his own yard maintenance business at age 10 and had many happy, amazed clients. From age 16, he has worked in his dad's roofing and siding business. He was well-known for doing excellent work and also got some of his biggest contracts from either doing a roof or job for a widow or struggling family without pay or for barter. They were great advertising. Ben's other hobby was to go on Craigslist and see family's needs and gather-up clothes, food, etc. and answer their advertisement. His Mom and sons and friends happily assisted on these service projects. It is hard to decipher whether Ben or those he helped felt more joy. Being too generous and too involved in his other 'hobby', gambling, did not mix well.

Ben leaves behind the shining stars of his life his two sons, Easton and Hunter; his mom, Lonnie and step-dad, Bill Mathews; his dad, Lee and step-mom, Jennifer; brothers, Kerby, Isaac, Steve, Dustin, Eric, Kenny and sisters, Celia, Alicia, Sheila, Julie and their spouses; dozens of beloved nephews and nieces at home and on missions; also his Granny, Liz and her girls. All whose hearts are broken today.

We are writing this for all those wonderful people we love and who love Ben and us. We would never turn anyone away… (that would make Ben furious!) But, if you are negative, curious, part of the Media or desire to turn Ben's service into a side-show - Please refrain from attending the service.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT. A visitation will be prior to services from 12:30 to 1:30. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery, St. George, UT.

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, UT 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign his guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com .

Thank you for all your support, God bless and thanks for everything!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spectrum & Daily News on Sep. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Schroff

16 Entries

Emmie Montanez

October 12, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear about Ben. My condolences to his family.

Neidra (Beal) Welch

September 19, 2014

I didn't know Ben but know his parents. So very sorry for the heartache you must be feeling. From all I have heard, he was a great guy.

September 19, 2014

What a beautiful tribute! I don't know your family, but as others have said... I know too well the pain of addictions and mental illness. As tragic as this is, how wonderful that he is now in a place that he can be free from those physical trials and just be who he is without them. I wish the world could slow down and look into each persons eyes and see into their soul. To see their goodness and know their heart. What a blessing you all must have been to him because it sounds as though you truly did see him as God does! I'm positive that a man with the amount of love within him, that you say he has... will continue to love and watch over you all!

Lyn R

September 17, 2014

I am experiencing gratitude reading about Ben. Rather than having to remember thru the media's eye, I am so happy to get to know the truth of his beauty, his kind acts, and the joy he brought to his friends and family. Thanks for sharing this!

Jan Chapman

September 17, 2014

There are no words. So very sorry for your loss.

Jan Seegmiller Chapman

September 17, 2014

So very sad for your loss. I didn't know Ben, but knew his mom and dad. There are no words. Just know my prayers are with you all.

Jill Burkett

September 17, 2014

I send my hope for peace and ease of pain for your family.

While I and each member of my family was affected by Thursday's events, many moments during that afternoon I spent in contemplation of you, his family. Please know that you are being held in my heart, and the hearts of many.

September 16, 2014

God Bless you!

Cheryl Cragun

September 16, 2014

God Bless you all at this terrible time. Cherish the good years and memories that you have.

Andriea W

September 16, 2014

To Ben's family, I hope you can find comfort in knowing that he's no longer struggling with his demons and is at peace.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ben's family, especially his sweet little boys Easton and Hunter.

September 16, 2014

I am so sorry for your family's loss, not only of your son, brother, or father but also for the remaining family. I hope our community will remember that he was once a little boy filled with love and hope. Please know there are people in St George who are in support of you and yours.

Joyce Ewald

September 16, 2014

Grieve not for your loss but be grateful for the memories and the time you had with him. Love and Light, Devin's Granny

Loye West

September 16, 2014

I did not know your son, father, brother, and friend, but I do know something about family members whose sweet spirits are plagued by demons. I pray with all my heart that your family and friends may receive the peace and comfort you need to carry on, and to remember only all the good that Benjamin did during his short life.

catherine d.

September 16, 2014

Ben,
Im sorry to read of your desperation, my prayers to you and your family, may you rest In peace, and your family's heart heal

Heather G.

September 16, 2014

If only… The question that we face in our time of sorrow,
So much life now gone, with no time to borrow

If only… The hollow words replay throughout our every thought
No child should pass and leave us in this hell where we're now caught

If only… The wretched emptiness could just be filled
And we could once again begin the life we started to build

If only… We could move on from the brutal pain
For caught in this darkness, we are no longer sane

If only… Two little words… with such deep meaning now
Our children have passed and left us questioning how

If only… Such pain and sorrow did not exist
And we did not have to deal with the tears we now resist

If only… There was a way to go back and change the past
For now we bear this burden of the child-loss mask

If only… The world knew what we deal with every day
Or there were words enough to make it all ok

If only… We knew how to move on with a simple real smile
Without the fear that tragedy will strike again at any given mile

If only… The words that echo in our hearts now, every single day
As we pull ourselves together and we try to find our way

If only… We didn't have to carry this heavy feeling of loneliness and sudden tears,
And had the strength to live each day without the constant worry and the fears…

If only…

Ben "Rest In Peace"
If only......