Benedict J. Waldoch, 88, of Stevens Point, died peacefully on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, after a battle with congestive heart failure, while under the care of Heartland Hospice.

He was born in Stevens Point on April 15, 1924, to the late John and Frances (Hoppa) Waldoch, and attended local schools; then traveled around the United States working various jobs.

Ben entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 19, 1948, in Milwaukee. He served in Japan as a gun crewman for heavy artillery. His honorable discharge, at the rank of private first class, took place on Feb. 15, 1950, at Camp Stoneman, Calif., having received the Army of Occupation medal-Japan.

He married Florence Cisewski on Nov. 23, 1952. After their marriage, the couple settled in Stevens Point at his great-grandparent's family farm. In addition to farming, through the years, he was employed with Hutter & Findorff, Vicker, Williams, Consolidated, Firkus Tile Company, Ellis Stone and Boldt Construction. He retired in the mid-'80s from farming and as a skilled mason, but continued to work with Danczyk Farms. He took pride in all the buildings he tiled through the years. Ben enjoyed gardening, hunting, polka music, homemade cakes and pies and an occasional trip to the casino.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Florence Waldoch of Stevens Point; two daughters, Rose (John, Jr.) Wojcik of Stevens Point, and Chris (Dean) Rusin of Florence, Oregon; son, Ray (Sharon) Waldoch of Stevens Point; grandchildren, John (Amy) Wojcik of Marshfield, Sara (Corey) Brish of Stevens Point, Jessica (Chris) Firdoch of Kissimmee, Fla., Bob (Dody Boris) Waldoch of Stevens Point, Rick (Ariel) Waldoch of Excelsior, Minn., Brittany Rusin of San Diego, Calif., and Alyssa Rusin of San Francisco, Calif.; and eight great-grandchildren.

Ben was preceded in death by a son, Robert; sisters, Mary, Sophie, Regina, Verona, Gertie, Lucy and Florence; and brothers, Theodore, Hank and Edward.

A very special thank you to the caregivers who have watched over our loving father, especially Sal and Lisa with Heartland Hospice, Linda and Connie with Family Care and Marlene with North Ridge.

The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2013, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Arul Joseph V. officiating. Full military honors will take place at the church following Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery-Torun. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, 703 2nd Street, Stevens Point, and again in the St. Faustina Room of the church on Friday morning from 9 a.m. until the time for Mass. Moose Lodge No. 1572 will hold a ritual at 6:45 p.m. and St. Peter's Holy Name Society will combine with the parish rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com. (715) 344-4595.

Published in Stevens Point Journal on February 27, 2013