Benjamin D. "Ben" Smallridge

Benjamin D. “Ben” Smallridge Sr., age 83, of Dover, passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in Community Hospice’s Truman House, New Philadelphia, after battling cancer.

Born January 5, 1935, in Charleston, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James H. and Annabelle Davis Smallridge. His family later moved to Michigan where Ben graduated from Saulte Sainte Marie High School. He went on to attend Lake Superior State University where he lettered all four years in basketball and earned his bachelor’s degree in social science; Ben further studied at Central Michigan University earning his MBA. He entered the United States Navy and became a pilot attaining the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. On July 4, 1960, during his service time, he married the love of his life, Margaret L. “Peggy” Madonna. The couple reared three children and shared forty-seven years of marriage prior to Peggy’s passing on December 14, 2007.

Ben was employed by the Union Carbide Corp. in 1962, its successor Praxair, Inc. and Praxair’s subsidiary, AMKO Service Co. of Dover and Hope, Arkansas. He served as president and CEO of AMKO - Dover Cryogenic for twenty-one years before retiring in 1996.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, New Philadelphia, serving as elder, and belonged to the Dover Kiwanis Club for forty-two years. Ben believed in volunteerism - he enjoyed people - and stayed active in his retirement with Mobile Meals, the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry and the Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County.

Survivors include his daughter, Ann L. Smallridge Plumer of Dover, James H. Smallridge III of Broadview Heights, and Benjamin D. (Christine) Smallridge Jr. of Lakewood; his grandson, Liam James Smallridge; his sister, Susan Sparks; and his niece, Michelle Sparks Stuart.

In keeping with Ben’s wishes, a private prayer service will be held, he will be cremated and his cremated remains buried with his wife, Peggy, in Parsons Cemetery, Salisbury, Maryland. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Ben, please visit the obituaries link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Ben’s memory be made to First Presbyterian Church, 217 E. High Ave., or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., both addresses at New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

One of Ben’s favorite scripture passages was Mark 12:30, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…"