RACINE – Ben Earl Heffel, 73, passed away at home on Monday, June 2, 2014. Ben was born in Racine on October 9, 1940 to Earl G. and Esther (nee, Ruppel) Heffel. On October 15, 1960 he married the former Dorothea Spurgat. Ben began working with his father in the family business, Earl Heffel & Son, which his father started in 1939. Ben retired in 2004, passing the family business down to his eldest son Kurt Heffel, beginning the third generation. When traveling in his younger years, he would always wear a Racine hat or shirt. This was his way of starting a new friendship. He was an avid Packer fan, and even attended the Ice Bowl. Ben spent time up north where he made many friends. Ben could be seen driving his big red truck around town, and he always took time to be a chauffeur to his wife. Most of all, Ben loved spending time with his family, especially watching his grandchildren play sports. Survivors include his wife, Dorothea Heffel; children, Kurt (Mary) Heffel, Ken (Sharon) Heffel and Jeanne (Jeff Alders) Brenner; grandchildren, Derek, Dalton, Rachel, Lauren, Jessica, Erica, Zach, Molly and Brady; his mother, Esther (Carl Slye) Heffel; sister, Sandy (Howard) Johnson; and nieces, Jennifer Johnson and Suzanne (Josh) Naker. Ben is also survived by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father. Funeral services for Ben will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Daniel Feldscher officiating. Interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.