Bernard A. "Ben" Droesch, 86, 6897 Droesch Road, Chickasaw, died at 2:20 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minster.

He was born July 3, 1922, in Chickasaw, to Lorenz and Elizabeth Bruggeman Droesch. On Oct. 9, 1946, he married Lucille Ranley, who survives.

Other survivors are a son, Don (Rosann), Maria Stein; four daughters, Helen (Bob) Uhlenhake, St. Henry, Mary (Mick) Osterholt, Maria Stein, Thelma (Martin) Topp, New Bremen, and Jane (Bruce) Weide, Worthington; three sisters, Cecelia (Don) Gerdeman, Rose Anna Mox and Barbara (Don) Heitz, all of Delphos; two sisters-in-law, Mary and Rosemary, both of Chickasaw; 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, four stepgreat-grandchildren and a stepgreat-great-grandchild.

Deceased are a daughter, Bernice; two brothers and their wives, Camillus and Dorothy and Joseph and Leona, and two brothers, Andrew and Anthony; two sisters and their husbands, Mathilda and Ray Rutschilling and Monica and Andrew Schoen; and a brother-in law, Robert Moxx.

He was a retired farmer, and a school bus driver and transportation director for Marion Local Schools. He was a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, Chickasaw, and its men's society, a charter member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chickasaw. He also was a member of the American Legion and Knights of St. John, Maria Stein, and the Catholic Knights of America, Cassella. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the India Army Signal Corps.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Revs. Gene Schnipke and Ernie Ranly officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.