Benjamin Harry Toenges, 87, passed away at Orange Villa at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 29, 2008.
He was the son of the well known mining engineer Albert Louis Toenges and his wife Maggy Mae Williams, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Williams of Flat River, MO.
Ben was the husband of Rosella B. Epps Toenges of 612 Quincy St., Orange, TX, where they have lived since 1999. They were married 67 years.
They were married in an Episcopal Church in Joplen, MO. June 17, 1941. Ben enlisted in the US Army Air Force, October 1942-1945. He was appointed to West Point. He loved to fly planes, but could not fly due to color blindness.
Since he could not fly he said, "If I can not fly them, I will fix them." Ben was an Instrument Specialist Mechanic Crew Chief.
He served 31/2 years in the US Army Air Force and 6 months on Tineon in the South Pacific during WWII. He was honorably discharged.
Ben is survived by his wife, Rosella B. Epps Toenges, his daughters, one in Mississippi and Jo Anne of Orange, her husband, granddaughters and great grandkids, all of Orange. His other great grandkids reside in Mississippi and Kentucky.
Claybar Funeral Home is handling the cremation.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Harbor Hospice for their love and care to Ben during his illness.