BENJAMIN SUTTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BENJAMIN SUTTON Peacefully on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at the Portage and District General Hospital, Ben Sutton passed into the presence of the Lord, who he willingly and effectively served as an evangelist for over 55 years. Ben was born on November 5, 1922, in Whitburn, South Shields, Northern England. His mother died when he was nine years old, and for a number of years he raised himself until going to live with an older brother. As a young man Ben joined the British Royal Navy and served until the end of the Second World War. On January 27, 1945, Ben married his Dear Sarah and following the war he began working in the English coalmines. As a young boy, Ben learned to fish as a means of survival. Throughout his life he spent many enjoyable hours with his family and friends on the ocean and by the rivers, teaching them to be fishers. A life changing experience came into Ben's life in 1950 when he became a believer in the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour. Twelve months later Ben felt the definite call of God to be come an evangelist. His ministry took him first to the International Missions to Miners and later to Germany, France, Belgium and eventually to the U.S.A. In 1972 they moved to Canada, living first in New Market and then Collingwood, ON. His ministry continued even from his hospital bed. In Canada, Ben was known from coast to coast as an evangelist and excellent Bible teacher. Uncle Ben was a much loved camp speaker at Hilbre Bible Camp, Faith Bible Camp as well as Strasbourg Bible Camp in Saskatchewan. The Suttons came to Portage la Prairie in 1984 and during that time attended the Portage Gospel Hall, Fortier Gospel Chapel and most recently Crescent Heights Chapel. In 1994, Ben and Sarah were honoured to be invited by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II to a summer garden party at Buckingham Palace. Predeceased by his parents, three brothers and one sister, Ben is survived by loving wife of 62 years; two daughters, Mary (Jim) Hayes of Portage la Prairie, Shirley (Rob) Burney of Cambridgeshire, England; one son Paul (Tania) of Nanaimo, BC; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, also numerous nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Crescent Heights Chapel, 1745 Sask. Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the William Glesby Centre, 11 Second Street N.E., Portage la Prairie, with reception to follow. Interment will be in the family plot in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, contributions to the Faith Bible Camp Memorial Plan or the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral service. Arrangements entrusted to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2007