It is with abundant love and sorrow that our family announces the loss of our beloved north star and guiding light, Bennett Gordon Howes, on December 19, 2025 at the age of 99. His abiding love, honor, and stability will guide our lives forever. Quietly and lovingly he led his family with determination, wisdom and devotion.

Born on “the farm” in Lawrence, Michigan the fondest memories of his youth were summers spent there helping his Grandpa, Earl Bennett. In recent years, at his request, he and his daughter, Kim, would drive to the farm just to sit and reminisce.

At Central High School in Kalamazoo he met his beloved soul mate and partner in life, Helen. Together they made a wonderful life of devotion to each other, family and their church. They
recently celebrated their 78th anniversary before her passing in November of 2025.

After graduation, Ben joined the service during World War II, (US ARMY AIR FORCES,CPL) and was stationed in Okinawa where he worked in communications and repaired aircraft radios. He served his country with honor, courage and humility. After returning home he worked as an electrician for his father and in a lab at the Upjohn Company before finding his life work owning an insurance agency where he was respected for his honesty, work ethic and commitment to doing what was right. His professional life reflected the same principles that guided his personal life; fairness, integrity and compassion.

Ben and Helen loved to travel by car. He enjoyed planning extensive family vacations, first with their daughter and later in life with their mothers and grandchildren. The phrase “the road less traveled” was his mantra. He loved to go a different path each trip to visit and see new things. Again, in his later years much time was spent reminiscing over their thousands of photos from these trips.

He will always be known for his dry Scotch/English sense of humor. When there was a blizzard and it was 20 degrees he would call to say “better get out your bikini, we might have sun tomorrow!” Ben often referred to himself as the ‘’Hippy Dippy Weather Man”.

He will be held forever in the heart of his daughter, Kimberly Mallory (Tom Van Soest); grandchildren, Bennett Mallory (Christina Mallory) and Victoria Hollister (Mike Georgeau); great-grandchildren, Violet, Rhys and Skye Hollister, Juniper and Estelle Mallory, Cash Blystra; and many more family and friends.