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Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland

Birth	:	7 Nov 1909 San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA
Death	:	8 May 1974 Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Burial	:	Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.4227982, -82.1725006
Description	:	The River Press, 15 May 1974 Sam Benton Ragland Passes Away May 8th In Business Here for Past 40 Years, Active in Many Civic Organizations Sam Benton Ragland, far better known to all as Ben, Fort Benton businessman and civic leader for forty years, died last Wednesday, May 8, 1974, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He was taken ill on March 8, 1974, in Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico; where he and Mrs. Ragland were vacationing. He was flown on April 26th to the Phoenix Hospital. Ben Ragland was born November 7, 1909, in San... Read More	The River Press, 15 May 1974 Sam Benton Ragland Passes Away May 8th In Business Here for Past 40 Years, Active in Many Civic Organizations Sam Benton Ragland, far better known to all as Ben, Fort Benton businessman and civic leader for forty years, died last Wednesday, May 8, 1974, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He was taken ill on March 8, 1974, in Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico; where he and Mrs. Ragland were vacationing. He was flown on April 26th to the Phoenix Hospital. Ben Ragland was born November 7, 1909, in San Diego, California. His parents were pioneer Chouteau county residents, Charles H. and Idabel McLeish Ragland. He married Madeline E. Fultz on July 31, 1935. His early schooling was in Fort Benton; he graduated with honors from Chouteau county high school in 1927. Higher education included a year at MSU where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and another year at MSC. He clerked in the grocery department of the T.C. Power store and later worked for Sharp Bros. Grocery here. This became Bartley's Grocery and was purchased by Ben and his sister Jane, who operated it as the R&R Grocery from January 10, 1934. (Mr. Ragland once mentioned that first day's total cash sales were $6.34, charges of $11.36.) Upon his sister's marriage he purchased her interest and the name became Ragland's Grocery. In September, 1954, the grocery was sold to Ray Bennett, an employee for years. Mr. and Mrs. Ragland then built the Fort Motel, opening it in May of 1955. In addition he soon started a new career as a teller at the First Chouteau County Bank in 1957, advancing to cashier, and he retired as manager of the Time Pay department on December 31, 1972. Ben loved Montana and his small home town of Fort Benton, where he was active in numerous civic organizations. Among these were DeMolay, Boy Scouts, Kiwanis (as a charter member and past president), Fort Benton city council, volunteer fire department (18 year member), sixteen years as chairman of the Chouteau county joint airport board, and Signal Point Golf Association. He was also a member and past master of Benton Lodge No. 25, charter member of the Chouteau County Shrine Club, ambassador of Algeria Shrine, and member of Scottish Rite. In 1962, Governor Donald G. Nutter appointed Ben Ragland to the Montana Territorial Centennial Commission on coins and medallions. Proceeds of the project, a quite substantial sum, were donated to the Fort Benton museum enabling the museum to build the diorama entitled "The Men Who Won the West." For years Fort Motel guests with an interest in history received special guided tours of the museum from Ben. He had more than a passing interest in local history and much more than usual familiarity with Fort Benton history. His recreational interests included sports, hunting, fishing and golf, his hobbies included gardening, with some show pieces in this line. He was a member of the Towner Boy Band to be recalled by older residents, and also played in both Grizzly and Bobcat Bands. He is survived by his wife, Madeline; a son, Sam Benton Ragland, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Virginia Rae) Ulrich of Phoenix, Arizona; four granddaughters and two grandsons, as well a numerous nieces and nephews. Sisters surviving him are Mrs. Laura Miller of Lincoln, Mrs. Irene Derrer of Encinitas, California, Mrs. Edith Horn of Deer Lodge, Mrs. Dorothy Knight of Hemet, California, and Mrs. Jane Woodahl of Helena. Two sisters, Rae Ragland and Mrs. Idabel Green, and a brother, Charles, preceded him in death. Cremation was in Phoenix, Arizona, and Benton Lodge No. 25 was in charge of memorial Masonic rites on Tuesday, May 14, at 2 p.m. in the Masonic Temple in Fort Benton. Music was provided by Paul Ulrich. Private interment was in Riverside cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were: Dan Reichelt, David R. Pugh, Ray Bennett, George Vielleux, Fred Booth, Robert L. Nelson, Roy McClure, John Woodcock, Sam Towner, Leonard Crane, Glenn Bramlette, Grover Schmidt, Joe Vielleux, Gerald Woodahl, Calvin Fultz and Wm. Morrison. The family suggests contributions may be made to the Heart Fund or favorite charity and that the American Red Cross blood program be supported.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland's memorial?
Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland's memorial is located at: Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, Lorain County, USA.
When did Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland death?
Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland death on 8 May 1974 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Sam Benton “Ben” Ragland's memorial?
Latitude: 41.4227982
Longitude: -82.1725006

Family Members:

Parent

Charles Hanger Ragland

(1865 - 1937)

Ida Buck McLeish Ragland

(1870 - 1930)

Spouse

Madeline Elizabeth Fultz Ragland

(1920 - 2018)

Siblings

Laura “Ole” Ragland Miller

(1895 - 1987)

Irene Ragland Derrer

(1898 - 1991)

Dorothy Grace Ragland Knight

(1902 - 2002)

Rae Ragland

(1913 - 1916)

Children

Sam Benton Ragland Jr.

(1936 - 2013)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Calvary Cemetery
Lorain, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4227982, -82.1725006

2. Elmwood Cemetery
Lorain, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4268990, -82.1744003

3. Ridge Hill Memorial Park
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4143982, -82.1830978

4. Salem Jewish Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4188770, -82.1479320

5. Middle Ridge Cemetery
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3972015, -82.1877975

6. Saint Mary Cemetery
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3918991, -82.1367035

7. Charleston Cemetery
Lorain, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4637300, -82.1833200

8. Cleveland Street Cemetery
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4006004, -82.2197037

9. Mouth-of-Black-River Cemetery
Lorain, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4684880, -82.1800530

10. Saint Vincent Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4196663, -82.1091537

11. Crownhill Cemetery
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3941994, -82.2311020

12. North Murray Ridge Cemetery
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3731003, -82.1500015

13. Elyria Jewish Cemetery
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3679428, -82.1899948

14. Day Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4510994, -82.1031036

15. Garfield Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4208488, -82.0923309

16. Saint Marks Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4713080, -82.1167990

17. Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3806000, -82.2388992

18. Claus Cemetery
Brownhelm, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4297500, -82.2699000

19. First Congregational UCC Columbarium
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3663190, -82.1085340

20. Kendeigh Corner Cemetery
Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3778000, -82.2514038

21. Ridgelawn Cemetery
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3732986, -82.0969009

22. Lorain County Infirmary Cemetery
Elyria, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3470170, -82.1360670

23. Saint Teresa Cemetery
Sheffield, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4658012, -82.0777969

24. Pioneer Cemetery
South Amherst, Lorain County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3544006, -82.2407990