Benjamin Fouts, 90, of Tontogany, Ohio passed away August 7, 2018 at his home. He was born March 13, 1928 in McComb, OH to Sylvester A. & Clara (Freed) Fouts. He married Miriam (Draper) in 1950 and she preceded him in death on January 28, 2018 after nearly 68 years of marriage. Ben was a WWII Army Veteran.
Ben was the youngest of 16 children and worked on a self-sustaining farm most of his adolescence. He was orphaned by age 12 and worked a number of different jobs after leaving the family farm. Among them were operating heavy equipment and driving semi-trucks. He obtained a private pilot’s license and also enjoyed motorcycling and boating as a young man. After selling cars for several years, Ben purchased a laundromat and dry-cleaning business in 1972, which became Fouts Cleaners, which he managed for 28 years along with his wife Miriam until their retirement in 2000. After retiring, he continued to drive trucks for GLN Trucking in Tontogany. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Tontogany town council. Ben had a love for playing cards with friends and family, boating, and going to auctions and sales, acquiring many “treasures” along the way in his quest for the good deal. He enjoyed chatting with strangers and friends alike, smoking his pipe, and regaling anyone who would listen with stories of his life’s escapades. He had a mischievous sense of humor and always kept his grandchildren laughing, loving to play the occasional prank on unsuspecting family members and friends. He was a loving husband, provider, father and friend and he will be missed.
Ben is survived by sons John (Diane) Fouts of Bowling Green, Ohio and Jim (Sandy) Fouts of Bowling Green, Ohio, daughters Mary (Bruce) Rohrbacher of Bowling Green, Ohio and Laurie (Dick) Wasserman of Burgoon, Ohio, grandchildren, Matt (Valerie) Schatzke, Susie (Tony) Martin, Beth (Jesse) Varner, Meredith (Bret) Klun, Eric Fouts, Ben Fouts, Jesse Fouts, Sara Fouts, David Fouts, Nick (Lauren) Wasserman, Grant Wasserman, Abby Wasserman, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Miriam, son Steve Fouts, and 15 siblings.
A Celebration of Ben’s life will take place Sunday, August 12, 2018 at SamB’s Restaurant in Bowling Green, OH from 1 to 4 pm. A private family graveside ceremony will be held at Tontogany Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Peinert-Dunn Funeral Home, Tontogany, Ohio.
The family suggests giving memorial contributions to the Tontogany American Legion or Tontogany Presbyterian Church. To leave an online memory please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
