Obituaries
Information
- Name:
- Taylor, Benjamin Frazier "Ben"
- Date of Death:
- Jan 15, 2012
- Location of Service:
- Grisell Funeral Home - Bellaire - Bellaire
- Category:
- Archived Obituaries
Taylor, Benjamin Frazier, "Coach Ben", age 63, of Bellaire died Sunday, Jan 15th at his home in Key Ridge after a brave battle with ALS.
He was born July 25, 1948 in Bellaire, Ohio, son of the late E. Frazier and Martha Lois Belt Taylor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant siblings, Jonathon and Elizabeth, his paternal grandparents, Herman and Lucia Taylor, and his maternal grandparents, Ben and Mary Keyser Belt.
Ben was a lifelong member of the Belmont Presbyterian Church in Key Ridge. Ben was a graduate of Bellaire High School and Muskingum College where he was a proud Mace brother. Following graduation, he fulfilled the role of supervisor for North American Coal and served as an insurance agent.
His avocation and life passion was his family and his love of playing and coaching baseball and softball that took priority over every other aspect in his life. Nothing was more important than being at the ball field. His life was dedicated to the sport that meant the most to him. He played or coached his entire life beginning in 1955 at age 7. He founded the East Ohio Girls' Fast Pitch Softball League, the East Ohio Girls' Fast Pitch Softball Spring and Fall League, Eastern Ohio Fall Baseball League, and the Women's Fast Pitch College Summer League. With great pride he coached many men's baseball teams beginning at age 19, but he fell in love with softball while coaching his eldest daughter, Amy. In recent years he has been simultaneously coaching Bellaire St. John's High School teams, the Buckeye Stealers High School Softball team, Road Runner Power 18U Travel Softball, the East Ohio Power 23U Travel Softball, and a recent honorarium league called "Coach Taylor's" College Fast Pitch League. His eternal quote was and always will be is " I would rather be at the ball field."
Surviving are his wife of 39 years who devoted her life to his care over the last 2 years, Jennifer; and his three children: Amy Taylor-Sheldon of Bucyrus ,OH with husband David and their two daughters, Caroline and Paige; Alyson Taylor of Bellaire, Ohio; and Benjamin Taylor II of Winchester, VA. with wife April, and their two sons, Benjamin III and Noah as well as his favorite brother and sister Donald H. Taylor and MaryLu Hutchins and their families. Also surviving is his constant faithful companion, his dog, Rudy, also known as Junior Son.
Family will receive friends, former players, and teammates Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at Grisell Funeral Home at 400 33rd Street, Bellaire from 5-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 from 2-9 p.m. Services and burial will be held on Thursday, January 19th at 11 a.m. at Belmont Presbyterian Church in Key, Ohio with close friends, Don Cordery and Pastor Peter Walburn officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Progressive Bank, 426 34th Street, Bellaire, OH 43906 c/o Benjamin and Jennifer Taylor to support "Ben's Field" at the I-470 Wheeling Recreation Sports Complex. This will keep Ben's dream alive because truly he will always be "at the ball field."
Location Name

- Location of Services:
- Grisell Funeral Home - Bellaire
- Street:
- 400 33rd Street
- ZIP:
- 43906
- City:
- Bellaire
- State:
- OH
- Country:
-

Condolence Messages
I'm truly sorry for the loss of a your husband, your father, your father-in-law, your grandfather, your friend, and your coach. My prayers will be with the family in the days to come.
Sincerely,
Daniel Fletcher Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
We are truly sorry for your loss. Ben was a great guy and coach. He coached my son for two years in Legion baseball and Ethan became a better player under his guidance. My daughter Leah also played for him and played with Amy and Alyson in the Beallaire basketball summer league. I also had the privilege of coaching against him and enjoyed our discussions of sports. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. We knew he truly loved coaching kids.
Coach Ben will be fondly remembered . Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely The Phil Hulsey Family from Sardis, Ohio. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Craig Lambie Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
You have our deepest sympathy in the passing of your father and husband. You are in our prayers and may God bless you with comfort and peace at this difficult time. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of coach Ben. I have many memories of Ben he truly made me the softball player that I was. Not only was he a great coach but also an amazing person that I have learned a lot from over the years. you are all in my thoughts and prayers during these tough times. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
John Vanaman Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ben was a great person and my first memory of him was when he played baseball for my dad (Dick Robbins). He would faithfully come to the house and gather up the equipment and prepare the field for every ball game. I believe he was about 19 or 20 at the time and we fell in love with him instantly. He also was my daughter's (Rosa Zeno) passing partner when she was a sophomore at Bellaire High School and she felt the same way we did. We feel honored to have known such a great man.
Sincerely,
Cheryl (Robbins) Zeno
Neffs, OH 43940 Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time. Ben touched many people in a very insprirational way. That was so evident to us during the brief times we were able to spend with him. He will be missed by many. His passion for sports obviously shined through in his children. We learned much from him through them and we are all better for it.
Sincerely,
Dick and Patti Gervais Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Skip Leichliter
New Martinsville &
Magnolia High School Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.Coach Ben was a positive influence on everyone who knew.My children loved and enjoyed him as their coach.He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you!
The Kimbro Family Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Sherri Zalesny Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
I am so saddened and sorry to hear of Ben's passing. I met him and your family when taking care of his mother and mother in law. What a great man he was. I won't forget hearing him talk to many "softball" girls and his words of advice and encouragement. He was also such a great caregiver to his mother and mother in law. And then we began having awesome baseball talks once we realized that he also coached my husband (Tim Starks) and he often gave me advice for my oldest son who is a lefty playing baseball. We will miss you Ben but will know you are watching over all the local baseball/softball games. Rest well coach. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Sharon Shaw Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
We are truly sorry for your loss and the passing of Ben. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time.
Brad Lewis and Family
San Diego, CA Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
We are so sorry for your loss of Ben. You are an amazing family that really pulled together during such a difficult illness. We admire your strength, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Becky and Phil Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
I was so sorry to hear about Ben's passing. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Please take care of yourself.
Fondly,
Bright Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
We pray for the courage and faith you will need in the many years ahead. He blessed so many people.
Lovingly,
Steve and MaryJo (Zacchini Kurko
Class of 1964 Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Love,
Lindsey
East Ohio Power Team Member
River H.S. Softball
Marietta College Softball Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Ben was a great coach and we are thankful for the experience he shared with Charity Russell. he will be missed.
Duane and Judy Kesterson Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Sorry to hear of Ben's passing.What a legacy the two of you created through your beautiful marriage and children! I don't believe we ever talked that you didn't giggle with a spark in your eyes when you spoke of your "Benny".We have been gone from Bellaire going on 5 years but feel like we kept up with you through reading about Ben and his coaching . God bless you all as you hold tight to your faith and memories! Marvin and Nancy Woods Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
May the peace of God be with you during this time of loss. We love you. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Coach Ben was a truly amazing individual who devoted his life and time to fastpitch softball. I played summer league basketball with both Amy and Allyson many years ago. Coach Ben was one of a kind. He will always be remembered. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Our deepest condolsences are with your family through the loss of Mr. Taylor. It was always a pleasure to carry on a conversation with him when he was in town for basketball games. His friendship and passion was shared with many in this area and his presence has been and will continue to be missed. His impact is far reaching and his memory will live on through the many lives he touched. When gazing at the stars or other celestial objects Mr. Taylor's memory will always be alive in my life and I am thankful that I was able to share a friendship with him over the last 10 years.
May God's comfort and presence be evident through this difficult time for all your family. I am looking forward to seeing him again in Heaven when I am sure we will marvel together of God's awesome creation. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
We will all miss "Bubba Shroom"; but most certainly, we will never forget him.
Lew Liggett
Mace '70 Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
So sorry for your loss & the battle you 2 waged. Benny was the class of the class of 66. Always looked forward to seeing you 2 at our reunions. He'll be missed! You are in my prayers.
Jeff Booth Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
With deep sincere sympathy to you all. Ben will be sadly missed, yet live on in our prayers to whom knew him lovingly. Rosalie & Jim Wenckoski Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
It is difficult to put into words how saddened I feel about losing a special friend like Ben. I will always cherish the fond memories of “Bubba Shroom” from the MACE Club and our college days at Muskingum. I was fortunate to get together with Ben when he was in our area coaching at HS softball tournaments. He loved coaching and talking about softball. My deepest sympathy to the Taylor family and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Ben will be missed, but never forgotton.
Tom Fragasse Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
We are so sorry to hear of Ben's passing. He was a wonderful person with a truly giving heart. It was my honor to grow with him at Muskingum as a MACE brother. We treasure also the opportunity to have met you and your family and being able to see Ben here in Huron. We will always remember that time and sharing experiences. Whenever we look at our Jack Russell we will have fond memories of Ben and his buddy Rudy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and hope to see you again. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Connie Taylor Twedt & Dave Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Sincerely
Charity''Russell'' Hollingshead Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
So very sorry to hear of Ben's passing, our deepest sympathy to all of your family. Curtis went to school with Ben when his family first moved to Key Ridge from Charleston, and always remembered him. Take care and know that our prayers are with you…
Dana & Curtis Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing Coach Ben with our daughter, Amy Mathieu and so many softball girls. We are all better for having known Ben Taylor. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
I am sorry for the loss of Coach Ben. He was the most inspirational, influential coach that I have ever had. I thank Ben for giving me an opportunity to play under his guidance. For those of us that have played for him, all know what kind of impact he had on our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the Taylor family. May Coach Ben rest in peace. Sincerely, Michael Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Claudia Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
You have been in our thoughts and prayers since we learned of Ben's illness. Our daughter, Caitlin, was a pitcher on Ben's Roadrunner Power Team and went on to play for Wittenberg University. Ben was such a caring and giving person. We will never forget him or the time she played for him. He was truly one of a kind. We have such fond memories of the I-470 fields and the many summers we traveled there. It's so wonderful "Ben's Field" is there.
With our heartfelt sympathy,
Mike, Mindy and Caitlin Gowins
Coshocton, Ohio Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
"Shroom was one of the kindest men I have ever known. My being from Martins Ferry and his bbeing from Bellaire sparked many convesrations of rivalry during our Muskie years when we would carpool home. Although my times after graduatin with Ben were limited to reunions, I was always greeted with a bearhug as if we had seen each other only yesterday. Ben is was good man, in the truest ense of the word. Our world is emptier without him. Butk nowing him was a blessing and we are lucky for that.
My condolences to you and our donations to Ben's Field cannot repay what he meant to all of us.
With affection,
Linnie Kovach Grant
Muskingum '70 Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Ryan Twarog and family. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote