Benjamin "Ben" Mosier

Benjamin “Ben” Decker Mosier, 96, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at the Sheridan County Health Complex Long Term Care. Ben was born in Hoxie, November 5, 1920 the oldest of a family of eleven children born to Decker and Lela (Mowry) Mosier. He was named after his grandfather, Benjamin Cheever Decker. Prior to the birth of his sister, Lila Marie, his parents and Ben moved to the farm owned by Grandpa Decker located on the South Solomon River about seven miles southwest of Hoxie now called the Sheephead Ranch. Ben attended the “Mosier" school located near his grandparents’ home about six miles east of his parents’ home. Because of the distance he spent his first year of school living with his Grandpa and Grandma Mosier. For the next seven years, he went to St. Paul’s District #42 country school. He received his St Paul’s diploma on May 18, 1935. He then attended the Sheridan Community High School in Hoxie and graduated in the spring of 1939. That fall, Ben enrolled at Fort Hays State College in Hays, Kansas with a goal of receiving a degree in Biology. His college attendance was disrupted when the United States entered World War II. He and a classmate hitchhiked to Fort Riley in September, 1942, to enlist in the army. He reported for duty at Fort Riley in March, 1943. Shortly after, he was detailed to Fort Campbell in Kentucky and assigned to an armored tank division as a tank driver. He was later transferred to a military base in Maryland for advanced training. On completion of his training he was sent to Europe for active duty. He saw action in Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, France and Germany. His last action was in the battle of Frankfort. His unit, the 20th Tank Battalion, was on the Autobahn headed toward Berlin when Germany surrendered. When he was honorably discharged in February 1946, Ben was a Technician Fifth Grade (Corporal). He was on active duty in Europe for approximately six months. After the war, Ben returned to his interrupted college life. He received his Bachelor’s degree in May, 1946, and his Master’s degree in August, 1947. Following graduation he accepted a position with the Soil Conservation Service in Hamilton County, Kansas. A short time later, he decided to continue his education to earn a PhD in Geology at the University of Oklahoma. Just prior to beginning classes, his mother called and said they needed his help to carry on the family farming operation. He lived with his parents on the family farm until the sudden death of his father in 1989. At this time he purchased a house on Maple Street in Hoxie. He lived in town with his mother until her death in 1999 and continued to live in his house until he sold the property in 2016 and moved to an apartment in Sheridan Estates in Hoxie. Ben was a 50 year member of Masons, a lifetime collector, and spent considerable time on a hobby of making canes from wood from various tree species growing on the farm. Ben is survived by his sister, Louise Simcox of Salina, KS; five brothers, Frank Mosier and wife Joan of Manhattan, KS, Dr. Richard H. Mosier and wife Mary of Claremore, OK, Dr. Larry Mosier and wife Joann of Sargent, NE, Dr. Steve Mosier and wife Linda of Hays, KS, and Dr. Stan Mosier and wife Kathleen of Wichita, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Decker and Lela Mosier; sister, Lila Marie Fansher; brothers, Dr. Jacob Mosier, Dr. Ross Mosier, and Dr. Donald Mosier. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, KS with interment to follow the service in Hoxie City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2017, from 1:00 PM to 7:00PM and Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 11:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Donor’s Choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.