Ben A. Walston, 73, lost his battle with throat and lung cancer April 29th, 2016 at this home in Kimball, WI. He was born Sept 7, 1942 in Faro, NC. son of the late Adolph and Effie Walston of North Carolina. In 1962 he married Mary Frances Barnes in NC. They soon moved to Rockford, IL with an infant daughter and 2 years later had a son. Mary Frances preceded him in death. In 1973 he married Jeanne K. Huotari in Rockford and in 1976 they moved north to Hurley with his children and her 2 children. They purchased Kalm's Dairy Store in Ironwood and became entrenched in the life of the Gogebic Range. They later had another son, who inherited his love of musical instruments. Ben was very active in the ATV Club in Iron County and loved riding the trails with his friends. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, when he took time from running Ben's Place. He also enjoyed hanging out with his family, who were scattered all over the country. Ben is survived by his wife Jeanne, 3 sons Al Walston of Memphis, TN, Stephen Walston (Jenny) of Marengo, WI and Jeremy Walston (Anney) of Gile, WI, 2 daughters Susan Lloyd (Kendall) of Charlotte, NC and Billie Jean John of Mesa, AZ, 3 granddaughters Jacqueline and Meredith Lloyd, and Cassie Livingston, 2 grandsons Michael and Christopher John, 3 great-grandchildren Garrett Bodendorfer and Bryce Livingston and Mia John-Montes and the large extended family that he inherited through marriage. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and his two furry companions, Gomez and Keisha. Ben is also survived by his sister Hazel (William) Wainwright of Snow Hill, NC., brothers: Raymond (Ester) of Glen Burnie, MD, Donald (Carol) Glen Burnie, MD, Phillip of Snow Hill, NC, Adolph, Jr. (Linda), Smithfield, NC, Luther (Barb), Shuffletown, NC. Brothers and Sisters-in-laws: Cheryl (Joe) Bera, Dennis Huotari, Gail (Gene) Clemens, Annette Clemens, Leonard Joe (Karen) Huotari, Susan (Dennis) Beals, Kim (Darrell) Saari, David (Chris) Huotari, Debbie (Dan) Pertile, Darla (Larry) Bryce and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by brothers: Douglas (Patricia) Wake Forest, NC, Billy, Princeton, NC, by sister; Brenda Cardin, Stanton, NC and two infant sisters Jenny Gray Walston and Betty Lou Walston and his father and mother-in-law Swanee and Alice Huotari. Cremation has taken place per Ben's request with Range Funeral Service and Crematory of Ironwood who are helping the family with arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday,May 7th, from 1-5 at the Hurley Senior Center. An uncle, Don LaLonde, will officiate at 1:30.