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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ben Charles
Holt
December 9, 1946 – November 6, 2016
Obituary
He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Orr High School where he was on the wrestling team. He was a longtime member of Free Christian Assembly and loved the Lord first and foremost. His church family meant the world to him.
Benny was known for his love of sports. Playing 16 inch softball with the Chicago Storm, he was nicknamed Benny "The Thumper" Holt and was featured in many Chicago newspapers and sports magazines. He was an active member of Sayre Park for many years, where he was an Olympic Power lifter and volunteered as a trainer and coach. He also helped coach softball and served as an umpire.
He was inducted into the Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame who said: "Ben Holt is recognized by softball experts as one of the greatest power hitters of all time. A 347 foot homerun at Clarendon Park, and another, hit during the Hamms Homerun Hitting Contest at Comiskey Park, that eventually landed in the upper deck, are just two examples of his legendary hitting power. Holt originally played with the Big Banjo Bruins, and helped them achieve a 27 and 5 record during the regular season, hitting 513 (41 of 80) with seven homers and 46 RBI. A top defensive catcher, he received honors as a Windy City All-Star in 1976, and was a first team All-American with the 1977 World Champion Bobcats. Ben's softball career spans three decades. In addition to the Bobcats and Bruins, his resume boasts such legendary teams as the Dwarfs, the Storm, Fire, Beetlebombs and American Rivet."
He is survived by his children, Ben Holt Jr. and Anita Holt both of Crestwood, his grandchildren, Derek, Desiree, Sydney and Skye, and three great-grandsons, DJ, Alexander, and Lucas. He is also survived by three siblings, Dennis "Bill" Holt, Danny Holt and Linda "Mary" (Fredrick) Wells, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, where a funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Winfield.
Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.
Services
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Hultgren Funeral Home
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