COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Dr. Ben B. Pence Jr., 92, a resident of Columbus, Indiana, passed from this life at 8:20 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2021, at his home.
Dr. Pence was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on Christmas Day 1928, the son of Ben B. Pence Sr. and Edith Hathaway Pence. On December 17, 1977, Dr. Pence married Evelyn Strietelmeier, she survives.
Dr. Pence graduated from the University of Louisville and the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Pence was a Lieutenant and dentist in the United States Navy. He served at the Naval Security Station in Washington D.C. and at the Bethesda Naval Air Station in Maryland before being honorably discharged.
Dr. Pence later started his own orthodontist practice in Columbus where he served multiple generations of families. Dr. Pence voluntarily taught at the IU Dental School in Indianapolis for many years. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clifty and was a past active member of the Indiana Dental Society.
For over 40 years, Dr. Pence played clarinet in the Columbus City Band, and he was known as the “Chief Recruiter” for the band. He had a passion for caring for his property and feeding his birds and he enjoyed golf and riding his bicycle.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 43 years, Evelyn Strietelmeier Pence; children, David (Athlene) Pence of Kanehoe, Hawaii, Marjorie (Bill) Donnell of Aurora, Illinois, James (Courtney) Pence of Bean Blossom, John Pence of Three Rivers, Michigan, Katherine (Mark) Stahl of Columbus, and Melissa (David) Pevlor of Elizabethtown; grandchildren, Carolyn (Cameron) Byrd, Allison (Lee Burress) Donnell, Katherine Donnell, Samuel (Bridget) Donnell, Laura Pence, Karl Pence, Jennifer Pence, Haston Pence, Sage Pence, Nellie Pence, Bella Pence, Kimber (Jacob) Sims, Kaley Stahl, Kassidy Stahl, Konner Stahl, Nathan (Samantha) Pevlor, Garrett Pevlor, and Lydia Pevlor; a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Byrd; and his sister, Bette Beck of Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Pence was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Pence.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clifty; Pastor Douglas Bauman will officiate.
Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clifty.
Dr. Pence will be laid to rest at the church cemetery, full military rites will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or St. Peter’s Lutheran School.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
