Charles Benjamin Hodgson

APACHE JUNCTION - Charles Benjamin "Ben" Hodgson, born July 25, 1928, passed away on September 3, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Ben was raised in Tremont, Illinois, and lived in Phoenix, Arizona for most of his life. He married his beloved wife, Donna Mae Rynerson on June 11th, 1950 and they remained married until her death in December 1999. Ben's favorite pastimes were restoring classic cars, playing the banjo and harmonica, and telling stories. He served in the Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After service he returned to Arizona where he worked as a heavy equipment operator, and he and Donna raised a family and built a life together. Their work finally done, they spent many wonderful years traveling the country, seeing old friends and making many new ones, before finally returning to Arizona. Ben spent his final years surrounded by friends; playing music, visiting with family, working in his little shop, and swapping tall tales. Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his son, Harold Michael Hodgson; his sister, Janice; and brothers, Dan and Fred. He is survived by daughter, Christi and her husband Gary Parkhill of Del Mar, California; son, Harlan Kent Hodgson and his wife Ana of Surprise, Arizona; grandchildren, Ryan, Warren, Travis, Eric, and Nathan; and Ben's brothers, Ivan, John, Ray, and Bill. Graveside services were 11 a.m., Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, Ariz. Condolences and memories may be communicated to anahodgson@msn.com or Falconer Funeral Home, Gilbert, Arizona.