Lewis Disbrow

Ben was born June 15, 1920, on the Disbrow family farm located two miles east of Warrensburg. He spent all of his youth and much of his adult life on this beloved land, which his Great Grandfather purchased from the railroad in 1871. Bens elementary education was at the one room Disbrow School (named after his grandfather who donated land to the school district for the school). He graduated from Warrensburg High School and attended Millikin University.On August 22, 1940 Ben married his High School sweetheart Della Bernice Alsup. They eloped and were married in Kentucky where there were no laws requiring you to wait 3 days after getting a license prior to marriage. They would have been married 69 years this coming August. Their family grew to include four sons and their offspring.Ben was drafted into the army in 1944 where he served in the 63rd Infantry Division. He was wounded in Germany in 1945. After returning from WWII, he farmed for 8 years in Macon and Moultrie counties. Caterpillar Tractor caught his eye in 1955 and he became an employee. He retired in 1985 after 30 years of service. He was a founder of the Double Nickel Club, which was for people who joined Cat in 1955. There were many members.Following the passing of his parents, Ben and Bernice moved back to the family farm in 1980 where they resided for most of the remainder of his life. They started the Black Bart Pumpkin Patch in 1992 which they operated for 5 years. Many a kid from 2 to 92 walked through the patch in search of the perfect pumpkin for their Halloween porch. Many may remember Elvira the Cow at the Yesteryear Fair. Ben was the man behind the cow for 25 years. The history of Macon County and passing it on to the next generation was one of his many interests.Ben and Bernice spent considerable of their retirement years doing genealogy research and documenting the family history. Family has been a very significant part of their lives and all of us appreciate the time spent binding us all together with much love and care.Son Teds career caused him to move to Arizona in 1984. This began a 25 year tradition of traveling away from the cold Midwest winters to the much warmer Mesa, AZ. Ben and Bernice never met a stranger so they made many friends in Arizona who are going to miss the golf and many hands of bridge and rummy they frequently played. Ben was a member of many organizations in the Decatur community over his life time. Ones he currently favored were the Macon County Historical Society, Elks Lodge #401, Moose #864, American Legion Post 105, Sons of the American Revolution, Caterpillar and Local 751 Retirees.Ben is survived by his wife Bernice, Sons Ted (Jackie) of Mesa, AZ and family with three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; Bob (Jessica) of Decatur, IL with four grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; Tom (Lee) of Columbia, SC and family with 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Ben has two surviving siblings, Rose Ellen Wentworth of Forsyth, IL and Charles E.Disbrow of Warrensburg.Ben was preceded in death by one son James Benning Disbrow, two brothers William B. Disbrow and Robert A. Disbrow, and his parents Edgar Benning and Axie Disbrow. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com. "
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