Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ben A. McMillen

Sept. 27, 1990 - Dec. 15, 2008

South Bend Tribune 12/17/2008
SOUTH BEND - Ben A. McMillen, 18, of South Bend, IN, died on Monday, December 15, 2008, in his residence. He was born on September 27, 1990, to Bruce McMillen and Beverly Cortier in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong resident. Ben was a senior at New Prairie High School in New Carlisle, IN, and was employed by ACM Environmental and National Electric, both in South Bend. He was planning on attending Purdue University and majoring in Aviation Technology and Computer Science, and then joining the U.S. military. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, George and Isabel Cortier; paternal grandparents, "Joe" Donnell and Margaret McMillen; two aunts, Georgene Wisler and Theresa McMillen; and two uncles, Robert and William McMillen. Ben is survived by his loving parents, Bruce McMillen and Beverly Cortier of South Bend, IN; two sisters, Debbie McMillen-Heritz of Osceola, IN, and Donna McMillen of Milwaukie, Oregon; one brother, Brian (Jill) McMillen of South Bend, IN; two nieces, Tracy Rivers of Crawfordsville, IN, and Chelsea McMillen of South Bend, IN; three nephews, Jeffrey Heritz of Osceola, IN, Devin McMillen of Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and Gavin McMillen of South Bend, IN; extended family and friends. Ben was certified and licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a large boat operator and was also a certified open water scuba diver. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, flying and boating. Ben was known for his knowledge and expertise of computers, and had helped numerous people with computer repair and applications for a simple "thank you" in return. Ben loved to engage in lively debates and held his own on all levels. He will always be a respected, cherished, and loved child of ours. Hold your children near and dear. Our Ben will be forever in our hearts.