Benjamin E. Nordmark

Benjamin E. Nordmark of Kennett Square, age 91, went home to the Lord on December 31st.  He was married for 59 years to the love of his life, the former Sara Anne Hall who preceded him in death in 2011.  They were seldom seen apart.

Born Feb. 28, 1929 in East Stroudsburg, PA, he was the son of the late Oliver and Estella Nordmark and foster son of the late Wendell and Alice Wicks. 

After graduating from East Stroudsburg High School in 1947, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he became an aviation electrician petty officer serving in Fighter Squadron VF-23 aboard the aircraft carriers USS Coral Sea, Boxer, Essex, and Princeton.  He proudly served his country during the Korean War, earning seven medals.  He never forgot, nor stopped speaking of his shipmates who perished during combat operations. 

Following Naval service, Ben worked for Vertol, the helicopter division of Boeing.  He joined the Field Engineering Division of IBM in 1956, retiring in 1984 after 25 years of service. 

Moving to Stroudsburg where they owned a Sr. Citizens Mobile Home Park, Ben became active in Faith United Methodist Church where he served on the building committee and sang in the choir.  He was a member of Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm where he served on the board of directors. 

Ben and Sara Anne enjoyed RV Travels throughout the US, Canada, Alaska and Mexico.  They moved to West Grove in 2002 to be near 4 of their 5 children and many of their 14 grandchildren.  A longtime member of Hamorton United Methodist Church in Kennett Square, Ben was a past trustee and served on the parish pastor relations committee.  He loved to sing and sang in the Hamorton choir, sometimes singing solos and duets with his daughter Allison at different churches.  He also enjoyed playing his guitar, singing and yodeling, and performing for various schools and organizations. In his later years, he enjoyed visiting school students to share the history of the orphan train movement and his life during the Great Depression. 

Ben was the proud father of Ben Jr. (Drucilla), Dawn, Donna, Brian (Michele) and Allison Bricker (Bob).  Above all else, Ben put his family first and worked hard in partnership with Sara Anne to provide a home of love and security.  He set the bar high!   He will be greatly missed by those who loved him including his children, grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.  We will all continue to have "Grandpop's Pink Pills For Pale Children to Cure Whatever Ails You,"  at the ready... in his honor! 

Ben was predeceased by sisters May Hall, Margaret Baabe and brothers Francis, Oliver Jr. and James.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in his memory to The National Orphan Train Complex, 300 Washington Street, Concordia, KS  66901.

Services will be held privately.

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