My heart is heavy today. A dear friend of many years died suddenly on Tuesday. Ben Louis was a wonderful guy and well respected in the community. He was an outstanding Illini basketball player in the days of Harv Schmidt. We’ve known Ben and Judy since the late 70’s…church, school, kids, sports. They helped celebrate our son’s wedding last September with us. Their son, Ryan, was a groomsman.
Judy, Wade, Kara, Ryan, and Jared have endured more hardships than any family should be allowed, and with grace and faith. One of Ben’s best friends, Tim Johnson, will be a speaker tomorrow. Our prayers and love go out to you, Judy.
the pride of Pinckneyville!
The line was two hours long by the end of the visitation. Ben was admired by so many people. Because of Ben's lifelong Illini sports connection, Loren Tate was there, as well as former player Rick Schmidt.
Ben Lewis was a great man of great character. I knew him well from Urbana Country Club and because my best friend, Joe T. Smith, was a neighbor and good friend of Ben. Ben was also the Country Companies Supervisor in the area and another dear friend of mine, John May, was a close friend and a Country Companies agent for Ben.
The visitation and the funeral had the largest crowds that I have ever seen at a funeral. Tim Johnson and the other speakers gave wonderful talks. I get emotional at funerals, but this one was really tough. Ben was such a pillar in the community. I was well aware that John May was instrumental in the opeing of St. Thomas More High School, but was unaware, until the funeral, that Ben was very instrumental in the development of Juda Christian. I know that Dan Cole, the Principal of Juda Christian will be building a new High School on North Lincoln and will really miss Ben in that effort.
You can talk about character, but character is doing what is right, no matter what. I had a trial concerning some tornado damage to a home in Ogden a number of years ago. When Country Companies thought they shouldn't pay the claim, I asked their adjustor to come out and take a second look. Because I knew Ben well he also came out to take a look. After the adjustor had left, I asked Ben about what he thought. He replied that he had recommended that his company pay the claim. The matter, however, was referred to the legal department in Bloomington and a young attorney, who wanted to second chair his first trial, denied the claim. Naturally, we had to file suit.
Country Companies called Ben Lewis as a witness and asked him a serious of questions. When they were done I had an opportunity to cross exam. I didn't know what Ben would say, but I held my breath when I asked him what he had told me that day: "I told them to pay the claim" he said. The trial was pretty much over after that. No one heard him tell me that and he could have easily ducked the question, but he didn't. Whenever I think of character, I think of that moment.
I was well aware that John May was instrumental in the opeing of St. Thomas More High School, but was unaware, until the funeral, that Ben was very instrumental in the development of Judah Christian.
Yes, in fact it was in their living room that my husband, Greg, and I sat during the first meetings to develop plans for Judah. It was to be the first non-public high school in this community.