Benjamin Ernest "Ben" Yingling, 72 , Altoona, died Saturday morning at his residence. He was born in Altoona, son of the late H. Ernest and Daisy V. (Langham) Yingling. He married Mary Martha Young on July 25, 1964, in Altoona.
Surviving are his wife; two children: Robert E. Yingling and wife, Marie (Reindl), of High Point, N.C., and Drew S. Yingling and his wife, Lynn (Koehler), of Altoona; three grandchildren: Nathaniel, Marianne and James Yingling; a sister-in-law, Shirley Van Pelt of Durham, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Richard Young and his wife, Marlene, of Titusville, Fla.; a special niece Carol McDonnell and her husband, Jack, and their son Dylan; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ben retired as a supervisor from Union Tank Car Co. in 2003 after more than 40 years of service.
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He was a 1958 graduate of Altoona High School and a proud U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1958-62.
Mr. Yingling attended Christ Community United Methodist Church.
Ben was an avid Penn State football fan and enjoyed tailgating with his family and his extended PSU family and friends. He was also an ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was a member of the Pine Creek Regatta gang for more than fifteen years, where he was always first to sample the doughnuts. He supported his sons from his time as a Roosevelt Junior High School and Altoona Area High School band parent, up through their days with the Penn State Blue Band. He was a life member of the Bavarian Aid Society; a member of the Cesare Battisti Club and the Unter Uns. He also enjoyed his vegetable garden and flowers; his peppers and eggs; his fire pit and Yuengling beer.
Ben was a friend to all and he will be sorely missed.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 and from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc., 501 Sixth Ave., Altoona, with the Rev. John P. Klingeman officiating. Military honors will follow. Interment will be made at Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood.
www.myerssomersfuneralhome.com
