Benjamin "Ben" Denlinger Hershey, 92, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, passed away after a brief illness on August 8, 2024, at his Landis Homes cottage surrounded by family. He was a member of Landis Valley Christian Fellowship. Ben was the oldest of six children born to Sem E. and Martha (Denlinger) Hershey. He spent his childhood and youth on a dairy farm in the village of Spring Garden. He was a 1951 graduate of Lancaster Mennonite High School. In 1953, he served with the MCC PAX program in Germany, although his term ended early due to the sudden death of his father. Ben returned home to manage the family farm to help his mother and five younger siblings remain together.

Ben married Martha J. Bair Hershey of Brownstown on April 21, 1956, at Carpenter's Mennonite Church. He and Martha operated their own dairy farm for several years and were active in the Meadville Mennonite Church. In 1965, they sold their dairy operation and moved with their young children to Immokalee, FL to assist with the emerging Mennonite church in that area and lived there for 40 years.

Ben graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa)with a degree in Math Education and taught in the Lee and Collier County public schools for 29 years. He also served as pastor of Peoples Chapel Mennonite Church in Immokalee, FL for 25 years. Ben was mission and service oriented and touched the lives of many. He served on the boards of various community organizations in Florida and Pennsylvania. He and Martha served as cooks at five Mennonite Disaster Service sites.

They returned to Pennsylvania and moved to Landis Homes Retirement Community in 2006 but continued to spend their winters in Florida. In retirement years, Ben enjoyed spending time on the golf course and making stained glass art. He also enjoyed gardening, travel, baking cookies, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, adult coloring, music, baseball, and Fantasy Golf. He loved being outdoors admiring all of nature. Ben was very active in campus life at Landis Homes and accumulated many volunteer hours. He especially enjoyed volunteering at BookSavers of Ephrata. Ten years ago, Ben wrote his memoirs titled "Steps of Faith" to share with his family and close friends. He had a deep Christian faith that was evident in everything he did. He was a family genealogy and Mennonite history buff. Close relationships with family and friends were very special and important to him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife and 4 children: Anita (Robert) Fuhrman of Bonham TX, Gerald (Jeanette Kreider) Hershey of Waynesboro VA, Benjamin Lee (Michelle Hobkirk) Hershey of Estero FL, Julie (Jonathan) Tieszen of Harrisonburg VA; 7 grandchildren: Laura (Austin) Herr, Rachel (Steve) Ferrara, Dorothy (Zach) Kitchen, Jordan Sem Hershey, Lindsey Hershey, Anna Tieszen, and Claire Tieszen; 4 great-grandchildren. 3 siblings: Verna Yost, Rhoda Yost, and Miriam (Leo) Martin, sister-in-law Genny (Leonard) Hershey, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Leonard Hershey and Charles Hershey, 2 brothers-in-law Ivan Yost and John Yost and one sister-in-law Eva (Charles) Hershey.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Landis Homes Caring Fund c/o Landis Homes 1001 E. Oregon Rd, Lititz, PA 17543.

Landis Homes will be hosting a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m. in West Bethany Chapel, 1001 E Oregon Rd, Lititz, with family visitation one hour prior and reception following service. Interment was held at Hershey Mennonite Cemetery.