Benjamin R. Needham

Benjamin R. Needham, 78, of Indianapolis, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at his home with his loving family by his side.  He was born on September 8, 1945 to Raymond and Justine (Williams) Needham in Marion, Indiana.

Ben was a 1963 graduate of Marion High School and proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Navy Corpsman during the Vietnam War.  He was a 3rd-generation funeral director and owner of Needham & Son Funeral Home (now Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Home) and Grant Memorial Park, retiring in 1998.  In Marion, Indiana, Ben served as President of the PAL Club Board, and a board member of Carey Industries and the Marion Chamber of Commerce.  He was a life member of the VFW and the DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

Ben was an avid golfer and loved boating.  He enjoyed watching basketball & football and was a fair-weather fan of whoever has the best record.

Most of all, Ben was a loving family man that loved spending time with his wife, children and their spouses, grandchildren, and his many dogs throughout the years.  He loved attending his children and grandchildren's sports and school activities, and was always the loudest voice in the crowd.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Needham; daughters, Kara (Rich) Riddell, Jackie Needham, and Vicki (Eric) McDaniel; son, Jim (Sarah) Needham; 8 grandchildren, Madison (Trevor) Jones, Daniel Riddell, Luke Smith, Eli Smith, Morgan McDaniel, Isaac McDaniel, Grace Needham, and Lucy Needham; brother-in-law, Merrill Ritter; brother- and sister-in-law, Steve & Joyce Bell; nieces & nephews, Wendy Coglianese, Jake Ritter, Justin Bell, Ashley Malfait, and Corbin Bell; as well as several great-nieces & great-nephews, cousins and other loving family members.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his sister, Nanette Needham Ritter.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with services at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, in Fishers.  Private family burial will be at Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org); or you may donate blood in Ben's honor.

Condolences:  www.randallroberts.com