Benjamin Gerard Garfield, 58 of Trevor, Wis., unexpectedly passed away on Friday, May 12, 2023. Ben was born in Waukegan, Ill., on July 11, 1964, to Russell and Rosalie (nee Obenauf) Garfield. The youngest of 12, he spent his formative years in Lake Zurich, Ill., and Tomahawk before living his adult life in northern Illinois. Ben will be remembered for his love of animals and the outdoors, his creativity, and his love for family. Ben used his creativity to invent easier ways to do things and for a time tried to get his inventions patented. He loved and was very proud of his children Ben Jr. and Ashley. Ben spent many days outside fishing with his son and just passing time with him. It was more about being outside with his son than how many fish they caught. Ben never met an animal he couldn’t bond with. His German Shepherd Lilly was always by his side and his Poodle Sweety before that. He lived for years on a hobby farm enjoying his pygmy goats, many dogs, as well as other stray animals he adopted along the way. He once kept a camel for a carnival that had come to town until other arrangements could be made.
Our Benji is survived by his son Ben Jr., daughter-in-law Schaleen, and daughter Ashley as well as 10 brothers and sisters – Russ (Angie) Garfield, Kathy (Tom) Contri, Pam (Dan) Mowers, Bill (Melody) Garfield, Wanda (Don) Garfield, Donna (Don) Powell, Chris (Ted) Heitschmidt, Charlie (Julie) Garfield, Bev (Red) Ingman, and Ted (Sheryl) Garfield. He is further survived by his ex-wife and mother of his children Joni Balfanz, aunts, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including Joanne Straz. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Garfield. Ben’s burial will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Noon at the Prairie Rapids Cemetery in the Town of Nokomis, just north of Tomahawk. A celebration of life will follow at the Lake Nokomis Town Hall.