Allan "Ben" Benjamin Temple

TEMPLE, ALLAN BENJAMIN, Freeland, Michigan. Taken suddenly from his family on May 22, 2021, "Ben" as he was known to nearly everyone, left behind a legacy of hard work, love for his family, and physical landmarks throughout the Great Lakes Bay region. Born in Bad Axe, Michigan to Thelma and Benjamin L. Temple on November 9, 1945, Ben later went on to Delta College and met his wife, Mary H. Giesecke, marrying on June 26, 1965 at First Presbyterian Church in Saginaw. He was a carpenter by trade graduating from the union’s apprenticeship program. During his more than thirty-year career as a master carpenter and construction worker with Gregory and Pumford Construction out of Bay City, he completed projects too numerous to count, and often pointed them out on family outings to the Bay City Fireworks or simply a drive around town. Buildings such as Bay City Western High School, the Delta College Planetarium, and the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University stand as a testament to his special talent for carpentry and pride in his work. Perhaps one of Ben's most outstanding projects was the construction of his and Mary's dream home in the country in 1973, driving out to Thomas Township after a full workday each night to work on it by hand. Here they raised three children and made memories with even more grandchildren and great grandchildren. Noteworthy tales include Ben's innovative car engine pool heater, trips to Florida in the Winnebago, and the time he saved Chuck the dog. Ben enjoyed fishing, camping, cheering on the Detroit Lions, and later in life, golfing, achieving the elusive "hole-in-one" on a par 3, on May 22, 2012. Ben was survived by his sister, Pauline (Gene) Pitcher; his three children, Benjamin Scott (Jodi) Temple, Douglas Harold (Sandy) Temple, and Katherine Elizabeth (Philip) Ellison, Ph.D.; his six grandchildren, Kalen Warner, Nicole Ennest, Katarina Temple, Casandra Kareus, Frederick Temple, and Patton Ellison; as well as three great-grandchildren. Ben also leaves behind his golfing buddies, his dog MyGi, and a very special niece, Trudy McLain. Following cremation, the family will hold a private service in celebration of Ben's life. Arrangements by W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors. www.casefuneralhome.com