Ben was born Oct. 15, 1918, in Heil, N.D., to August and Karolina Link Zacher. The Germanspeaking family sold the McLaughlin family farm located on the Missouri River and moved to Canby, Ore., in the 1930s. Ben graduated from Canby Union High School in 1939. As a migrant worker, Ben met Mary Brown in Sunnyside Wash., where they were married in 1940, and a son Roger was born.
Living in Portland Ore., he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy on Nov. 11, 1943, and served in the Pacific on the USS Rall (DE 304) as a Radarman. He received three battle star ribbons as well as a Navy Unit Commendation. The family moved to Sunnyside, where Richard Bruce was born in 1952. Ben was a carpenter working for the union and selfemployed in the Sunnyside, Grandview area. In 1965, he married Marie O Cooke. Ben attended the Grace Brethren Church of Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser. He enjoyed having coffee with his buddies and trips to the Washington coast for clam digging. Ben is preceded in death by Mary Brown and Marie Cooke.
He is survived by sons: Roger (Annette) of Sunnyside and Richard of New York; eight grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday Aug. 24, at 10 a.m., at 2290 Ray Road, Sunnyside, with military honors.
Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in care of all arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to valleyhillsfh.com
Living in Portland Ore., he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy on Nov. 11, 1943, and served in the Pacific on the USS Rall (DE 304) as a Radarman. He received three battle star ribbons as well as a Navy Unit Commendation. The family moved to Sunnyside, where Richard Bruce was born in 1952. Ben was a carpenter working for the union and selfemployed in the Sunnyside, Grandview area. In 1965, he married Marie O Cooke. Ben attended the Grace Brethren Church of Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser. He enjoyed having coffee with his buddies and trips to the Washington coast for clam digging. Ben is preceded in death by Mary Brown and Marie Cooke.
He is survived by sons: Roger (Annette) of Sunnyside and Richard of New York; eight grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday Aug. 24, at 10 a.m., at 2290 Ray Road, Sunnyside, with military honors.
Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in care of all arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to valleyhillsfh.com
