Benjamin Franklin “Benny” Woolum

By | December 26, 2014

Benjamin Franklin “Benny” Woolum, age 79, of Patriot, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio after months of failing health. Benny was born on May 13, 1935 in Gallia County to the late John and Cassie (Carpenter) Woolum.

Benny served four years in the United States Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. While in South Dakota, he met and married the late Bernice Spotted Horse on December 31, 1956. After returning to Ohio, he worked construction for many years and retired from the Laborers International Union of North America. He enjoyed hunting, going to Bingo and playing cards.

Besides his parents and wife, Benny was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Caulley; sister, Eileen Ross; and brothers, Jasper, Richard and George Woolum; as well as several infant brothers and sisters.

Benny is survived by children, Sharon (Tim) Moles, of Cheshire; Leta (Virgil) Poeppelman, of Bellefontaine; Benjamin (Rhonda) Woolum and Bill Woolum, both of Jackson, Raymond (Lynne) Woolum, of Wapakoneta, and John (Pam) Woolum, of McArthur; grandchildren, Mary and Vanessa Johnson, Jennifer and Daniel Moles, Bradley Woolum, Derrick Caulley, Michael Woolum, Elijah and Levi Woolum and Benjamin, Cassie and Courtney Woolum; and great-grandchildren, Dakota Scarberry, Aubrie Herrod, and Jordan Herzog. Also surviving are sisters, Edna Lowe, of Columbus, and Faye Klinga, of Cleveland; brother-in-law, Earl Ross, of Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Roberta Follows the Road and Alvina Howard, of South Dakota; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

A funeral service will be held 1:30 Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home, of Oak Hill, with Pastor Cline Rawlins officiating. Burial will follow in Gallia Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday, December 27, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com