Benjamin Jack Blue

BLUE, Benjamin Jack, 81, of Hopedale, Ohio, formerly of Wellsville, Ohio, who had been residing at the Gables Nursing Home in Hopedale for the past year, died at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, in the Trinity West Medical Center, Steubenville, following a brief illness.

Born in Brave, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 14, 1928, he was a son of the late Melbourne and Jessie Parson Blue. He was a retired pipefitter, working out of Local 490 in Steubenville. A 32nd degree Mason with Steubenville Lodge 45, he was an avid golfer and Pittsburgh Steelers football fan.

Preceding him in death on June 12, 1999 was his wife, Alice Egloff Blue, whom he married September 9, 1949.

Survivors include two sons, Melbourne "Ben" Blue and his wife, Edna of Easton, Maryland, and Randy Blue and his wife, Lori of Wintersville, Ohio. There are four grandchildren, Laura Blue, Chris Blue and his wife, Kim, Matt Blue, and Kelly Skiviat and her husband, Dan. There are three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Also surviving is one sister, Josephine Dean of North Carolina.

Besides his wife and parents, Mr. Blue was preceded in death by one sister, Geraldine Rush and by one brother, Ralph Blue.

A private family funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family. The Dawson Funeral Home, Inc. of East Liverpool, Ohio is in charge of all local arrangements.