Benny Shell

Benny Lee Shell, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, after a 16-year battle with leukemia.

He was born Aug. 20, 1934, at Greenbrier, Mo., to Loren and Ennis Owens. He married his college sweetheart, Shelby Ann Mouser, on Oct. 26, 1957.

Ben received bachelor of science and master of arts degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.

Upon graduation with the undergraduate degree, he was inducted into the U.S. Army as a private and was assigned to Army Intelligence as an investigator. He chose to make the military a career, and became a warrant officer in 1963. His duty stateside was conducting background checks on candidates for secret or top-secret clearances, and one of those included astronaut Gus Grissom.

With two tours in Germany, his status as a German and French linguist were used daily. His career afforded him many interesting activities. In Korea he was a guest/guard at a party for President Syngman Rhee. In Germany he was a guard at a meeting of German Chancellor Adenauer and French President de Gaulle. His final military assignment was in Berlin, where he lived behind the wall three years.

Upon retirement from the military, Ben returned to his background in education where he taught 15 years in the Learning Disabilities Center at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School. He was a volunteer for many community activities and was a board member when Habitat for Humanity was established in Cape Girardeau.

Ben was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, and sang in the Chancel Choir as long as his health permitted. He was able to travel extensively to all the continents except Antarctica. His love of sports included bowling, supporting Central Tigers and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Loren of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Laura of Las Vegas; two sisters-in-law, Linda (Bill) Ross of Fenton, Mo., and Dee Vitt of St. Louis. He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. David Conley and Karen Nothdurft officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mouser Cemetery in Marquand, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Centenary United Methodist Church or the Leukemia Society.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.