Obituary of Richard Stephan Lynn

Richard Stephen Lynn (Ben) passed from this life peacefully on April 17, 2013 from complications of diabetes. He was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania on January 10, 1923 to Roy David and Massie (Horton) Lynn. Ben is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Shoeman) Lynn. They would have been married 69 years in May. He served in the United States Army stationed in Fort Belvoir, VA and is a WWII Veteran. During his enlistment he served as a Sanitation Technician, Medical Technician and at one time served as a guard for German detainees in Wisconsin. He earned his sharp shooter classification and WWII Victory medal w/American Theater Ribbon. During his post service life, Ben and his wife have lived in Ohio, Arizona and Pennsylvania. They moved to California from Pennsylvania in 2010 and were residents of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. Ben played softball in his earlier years. He has always been an avid reader and card player and kept his mind sharp through the books and crossword puzzles. His sense of humor was one of his greatest assets causing much laughter and, on occasion, the source of many groans. Ben was preceded in death by two daughters, Barbara Ann Lynn and Peggy Ann (Lynn) Kaminski. He also lost nine brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lynn and two daughters, Carol (Tom) Smith of Santa Cruz, CA. and Shirley (Rich) Perine of Mentor On The Lake, OH, and one brother, Dale of SC. He is survived by six grandchildren: Debbie (Lloyd) Clark in OH, Frank (Lauren) Kaminski in OH, David Harrison in CA, Michelle (Randy) Richmond in CA, Richard Tyson (Aspen) Sheppard in CA and Andrew (Carissa) Perine in OH. Ben also has four great grandchildren: Jessica Avila in CA, Lacey (Tosh) Richmond Harrison in CA, Emily Clark in OH, and Liam Sheppard in CA. He also has one great, great grandchild; Hazel Avila in CA. Ben always had a smile and a "Hey, how ya doin'?" for everyone. He is greatly missed. No services or memorials are planned. His ashes will be interred in Diehls Crossroads Cemetery in Martinsburg, PA. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: Diabetes Research Institute Foundation 200 S. Park Road, Suite 100 Hollywood, FL 33021, any other charity of your choice or to Ben's wife in care of Carol Smith 1225 Dougmar Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-2914.