Benjamin H. Rees

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Benjamin H. Rees, 95, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away Aug. 3, 2012 in Evanston, Illinois.

Ben was born in Elkville on March 9, 1917, the son of the late Benjamin and Sarah (Ludwig) Rees. He married Ann L. Jackson, his cherished companion and partner for 68 years, on Dec. 21, 1940. Ben is survived by their two children: David Rees (Donna) of Skokie and Mary Beth Rees of Marion; grandchildren, Benjamin and Lucy Rees and many nieces and nephews.

His wife, parents, all six of his siblings and his daughter, Sue Ellen, preceded him in death.

Ben graduated from Elkville High School in 1934. He became a welder and he and Ann moved to Virginia where he worked in the Norfolk shipyards during the beginning of World War II. He was drafted in 1944 and served in the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii and working in automotive repair. After the war, he worked for Truax-Traer Coal Company in Huntington, West Virginia. He subsequently held various management positions at several different mines in Kansas, Indiana and Illinois.

In 1969, Ben and his wife returned to Du Quoin where they formed Rees Mine Supply Sales, Inc., a company selling mine supplies to the coal industry. Ben and his nephew, Royce Jackson, traveled five states selling steel and other products to the mining industry, while Ann ran the office. Ben thoroughly enjoyed this career change and loved his work, retiring in 1995.

Ben was an optimistic and hardworking man who loved his family, work and community. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration and the Illinois Society of Coal Preparation Engineers and Chemists. Ben liked to fish, cook, swim and travel. No matter where he was, though, he always wanted to come home to Du Quoin where he liked nothing better than driving the country roads looking for deer.

Graveside services will be on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin with the Reverend Scott Baird officiating.

Friends may call from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Those attending the service are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the First United Methodist Church of Du Quoin, or Midwest Hospice Care Center, 2050 Claire Ct., Glenview, Ill. 60025. Both will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.