Henry ‘Ben’ Benton South – Elizabeth Township
Henry “Ben” Benton South, 80, of Elizabeth Township, died on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. He was born in McKeesport on June 12, 1943, and is the son of the late William and Naomi Niehaus South. Ben proudly served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party in support of the U.S. Army 1st Air Cavalry Division from 1964-68 during the Vietnam War. He was a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal for his honorable service in the military. He was previously employed by H.B. South Printing and was the owner of South Software. He retired from McKeesport Area School District as a technology coordinator. He served on the technology board of numerous colleges, universities and organizations. Ben was a member of St. Patrick’s church (Mary, Mother of God Parish). As a member of the Holy Name Society, he held numerous offices and was honored by the Pittsburgh Diocese for his dedicated involvement. Ben showed love to his family and friends by giving his time freely in service as a problem solver and a helping hand. He was a relationship builder, always caring, keeping up with friends, meeting new ones, supporting his family and giving his grandkids “the best hugs.” He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Kane South; children, Chuck (Bethany) South of Moon Township and JoAnn (John) Kapolka of Stow, Ohio; grandchildren, Ryan, Lucy and Bradley; brothers, William South of Elizabeth Township and Robert South of Elizabeth Township; and grand-dog, Darby. Family and friends will gather from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at STRIFFLERS OF WHITE OAK CREMATION AND MORTUARY SERVICES INC., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Patrick Church, 312 32nd St., McKeesport, PA 15132. Burial with military honors will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com.
