Benjamin Brantingham

On May 17, 2015, Benjamin Brantingham of Happy Valley, Oregon, passed away at his home while surrounded by family at the age of 72. He was born to the late Paul Jerome Brantingham and Jeanne Wright Brantingham in Salem, Ohio, on January 16, 1943.Ben was one of six brothers and one sister: John of Washington State; David of California (deceased); Robert of Minnesota (deceased); James of Rhode Island; Samuel of Virginia; and Paula McClure of North Carolina.He leaves behind his wife Linda Ann Kelly, who he wed on November 30, 1963. He is also survived by their four children: Jane Ellen (Mark) Perkins, of Happy Valley, Oregon; Susan Marie (Jon) Guenther, also of Happy Valley, Oregon; Lee Robert (Melanie) Brantingham, of Hong Kong, China; and Amy Beth (Asa) Mueller, of Hood River, Oregon.Ben has 11 surviving grandchildren: Joshua, Jonathan, Joseph, and Megdelena Perkins; Rebekah (Blake) Pedersen; Lydia Guenther; Sarah (Travis) Cole; Isabelle, Sofia and Jonas Brantingham; and Griffin Mueller. He was preceded in death by his first-born grandson, David Benjamin Perkins. Ben is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Nathan and Allison Cole; and Rosalyn Pedersen.Ben was a 1961 graduate of Tecumseh High School and spent his early years as a minister for United Methodist Church in Homeworth, Ohio (1967-1968); Southeast Friends Church in Salem, Ohio (1968-1970); and Reedwood Friends Church in Portland, Oregon (1970-1974). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Malone College in Canton, Ohio, in1969. He pursued continuing education at Winona Lake School of Theology in Winona Lake, Indiana, as well as at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.After his service in the ministry, Ben served as president of various organizations: Old Mill Marina and Resort; the BLB Corporation; Pendle Hill Corporation; and Friends Ministries, Inc. He also owned and managed an equipment rental business. Although his later years were spent in the field of business, he served on the board of Evangelistic Missions Inc. (EMI) for 29 years, which included making several trips to Haiti and Jamaica.The family requests that those who wish to make a contribution to please donate to their favorite organization that supports the earthquake relief efforts in Nepal.