Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Benjamin Harrison Synon was born on April 16, 1925 in Hermansville, Mich. He was the youngest of three sons born to Elisabeth Steger and Michael Synon. The family moved several times before settling in Wabeno, Wisc., where he attended school.
He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corp. in 1944. He served with the 5th Marine Corp. Division and was a part of the assault on Iwo Jima. He was wounded in the Pacific-Asiatic Theater for which he received the Purple Heart. He also took part in the invasion and occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and returned to Wisconsin. He then travelled to California looking for work unable to find work there, he found work in Cokeville, Wyo., working on farms in the area. A friend got him a job with the Union Pacific railroad and it was there in Wyoming that he met a beautiful woman named Shirley Harmony, on her way to nursing school. They were married on February 23, 1951 in Diamondville, Wyo. They moved around Oregon, Washington and Idaho with the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1955, he settled in The Dalles, as a signal maintainer/electrician. He worked for the Union Pacific railroad for 38.5 years, retiring in 1987.
Ben was very involved with his children in the 4-H Mill Creek Livestock Club for 12 years and The Dalles High School FFA program for four years.
In 1976, Ben and Shirley bought their first cherry orchard. After graduation from college their son Ben, joined the orchard operation and together expanded the Synon Orchards.
Ben is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley; two daughters, Cheryl and Chrystie, and son Ben; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Marcia, parents and brothers.
Viewing visitation will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 23, 2016. Recitation of the Rosary will follow at St. Peters Catholic Church at 1:45 p.m. followed by funeral mass and graveside services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peters Church, St. Mary's Academy or a charity of choice in his memory.
