Benancio "Ben" Leal Jr.

October 20, 1942 - February 05, 2024

Benancio (Ben) Leal Jr. was born in Duval County, Texas on October 20, 1942 to Benancio and Emma Leal. He was the oldest of 11 children.

Ben worked from a young age alongside his dad on a ranch taking care of his horses and cattle. He joined the army and volunteered for the Vietnam war. After his return, he lost his brother Fernando Leal in that same war.

Ben married Patsy Brewer after his return from the war and from that marriage he had three children. He moved his family from Texas to Tennessee and eventually to Indiana, always searching for better work. In Indiana he found the two jobs he loved the most. He worked at White Farm Equipment and after their closure he went to Laidig in Mishawaka. He was there until his retirement.

Ben married Sheila Gail Kirk in October of 1983 after five years of living together. Together they had two children. He was best friends with Sheila's dad, Howard Kirk, and was devastated by his passing.

Sheila survives along with his five children. His three oldest from his first marriage: Brenda (Dale) Conaway, Freddie (Stacie) Leal, and John Brian (Provedence) Leal. And his two daughters with Sheila: Amanda (Jacob Parmelee) Leal and Samantha Leal.

He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was very proud of all his children, and deeply loved by them. He is also survived by his sisters: Rafaela (Bennie) Ortiz and Diane (Al) Looper and a brother Sammy (Gail) Moore. His sister-in-law Glenda Goins and family, brothers-in-law Greg and Lani Kirk and family, and Gary Kirk and family. (He's also survived by his cat, Tux. He was always an animal lover and there was always a dog — or multiple — as well as cats at home.)

Ben loved working and would do roofing for several years on the side. He was also busy taking care of properties he had acquired through the years. He loved doing things that others might find tedious such as snowblowing and mowing. After mowing his properties he was known to drive his tractor around the neighborhood, stopping to visit with people. He was still doing this up until a few months before his passing. But Ben also had a playful side. He bowled in leagues for many years and also played in a baseball league in South Bend for several years. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations and loved driving around the U.S., looking at his paper maps. He also liked going out to eat, especially if they had fish and chips and Dos Equis.

He spent many warm evenings on the deck with his wife Sheila. He was a dreamer and would talk for hours on end about them. Many of them, indeed, did come true.

Visitation for Ben will be held on Monday February 12, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on Tuesday February 13, 2024 from 12:00 pm (noon).  A funeral service will take place from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Tuesday February 13, 2024 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, located at 10776 McKinley Hwy., Osceola, Indiana 46561.