Benjamin Harrison Voliva Jr.

Mr. Benjamin Harrison Voliva, age 83 passed away Wednesday evening June 17, 2020 at the Avon Health and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Born on July 15, 1936 in Monroe County, In. he was the son of Benjamin H. Voliva Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth Capshew Voliva. Ben graduated from Waynetown High School and Purdue University class of 1959 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked as a Chemical Engineer, until his retirement, for R.R. Donnelley and Sons. Ben attained the rank of Colonel in the US Army and retired from the Army Reserves in 1996. He was first married to Barbara Anson in 1957 and they later divorced, he then married Sharon Grossman in 1966 and she preceded him in death in 2008. Ben  then married Carolyn Cassidy in 2014 and she survives him.  Ben is also survived by his children  Annette (husband Kent) De La Croix, Lafayette, IN.; Alan Voliva of Knoxville, TN.; Andrea Krainik, Crete, IL.; Cheryl (husband Kevin) Albrecht, Brownsburg, IN.;and Benjamin H. III "Jami" (wife Kelly) Voliva, St. John, IN. He is also survived by his siblings;  Janice (husband John) Austin, Crawfordsville, IN.; Margaret Perry, Terre Haute, IN.; Patricia (husband Arnold) Smith, Lakeland FL.; Shirley Ritter, Oshkosh, WI.; and Steve (wife Merry Christmas) Voliva, Crawfordsville, IN. He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren and one great  granddaughter Winnie Adams-Krainik. Ben was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Daniel L. and Roye "Sue" Voliva.

Ben was very family oriented and served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout master, participated with his daughters in girl scouts and contributed to his community as President of the Dolton Library Board, President of the United Way South Suburban Division, President of the Ivanhoe United Methodist Church Council, a member of Kiwanis and ESDA of Dolton, IL. He maintained and studied his family history going back into the 1700's.

Funeral services for Ben will be held 2:00pm Thursday June 25th at Shoemaker Funeral Home, 202 Bratton Rd. Waynetown, In. with visitation starting at noon. Burial will follow in the Waynetown Masonic Cemetery.  Social distancing will be observed and face masks are encouraged.

The family would like to thank and support the staff of Avon Health and Rehabilitation for the wonderful care of their father and ask that memorial donations be made to "The Caring Foundation" at 4171 Forest Point Circle, Avon, IN. 46123 to assist staff members during times of financial difficulties.