Mr. Benjamin Shook

Funeral services for Newcastle resident Benjamin M. "Ben" Shook, 91, will be celebrated at 10:00 am Saturday, June 4th at the Assembly Of God Church with Rev. Norm Brotzman officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery under direction of Worden Funeral Directors of Newcastle. People wishing to pay their respects may do so from 9:00 am to 10:00 am June 4th at the Assembly Of God Church.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Shriners Crippled Children's Hospitals would be appreciated.
Mr. Shook died Tuesday, May 31st at Weston County Health Services Long Term Care unit in Newcastle.
Ben was born July 11, 1919 at Hebron, Nebraska the son of Robert Harrison Shook and Charity Katheryn (nee Mulch) Shook. Ben moved at an early age with his family to a homestead in Weston County, Wyoming. He received his early education at the Wildcat school near Hampshire. Education was important as the family gathered around the kitchen table at night to the glow of a kerosene lamp. This was the scene of many arithmetic, spelling, geography and history lessons that were gently but firmly taught. Also during the early years, Ben's grandpa taught him "fiddling," guitar chording and "banjo picking" whenever he was home. Thus the family made their own entertainment. In later years, Ben enjoyed playing at Clareton and at barn dances throughout the area. When he was still in school he worked for neighbors on their ranches in addition to working on the home place. Ben later graduated from Newcastle High School prior to enlisting in the U. S. Army. He spent thirty eight months active duty during World War II in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. After arriving home from Europe, he worked in the oil fields for a number of years. He later worked on pipeline construction and later in general construction. Ben helped build many of the buildings in modern day Newcastle. He retired in his seventies, but stayed busy helping nephews and nieces with their jobs and projects. He was also proud of his Model A Pickup in which many Newcastle Children were given rides. He was hardworking, honest, always willing to lend a hand, loved to garden, share his garden produce, and had a great sense of humor. He loved music which he expressed through playing his fiddle which was the inspiration for Sylvan and Capel Mann's interest in the fiddle. Ben was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Surviving him are his nephews, Rob Shook, Jake (Sandi) Shook, Kenneth (Judy) Shook and their daughter Rachel and Dennis Shook. His nieces Kathy (Jack) Duce and their children Jimmi, Kristi, Tyler and Jill; Karen (David) Daum and their children Jeremy, Karl and Zachary; Shirley (Ralph) Chiles and their children Brenda, Connie and Bob, Ruth (Emmitt) Coy, Susan Williams and Beth (Randy) Cole and their daughter Riley Ann.
Preceding him in death were his parents, four brothers, Harrison, George, Louis, John Le Roy Shook; and a sister Alta Mae Hathaway-Sheaman.

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